Progetto Italia, with Webuild and Astaldi's integration, an accelerator to build sustainable mobility projects

Milan, July 17, 2021 - The M4, Milan's new metro line, has passed all the tests on the Linate – Forlanini FS section. In the past few days the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility has in fact authorized the operational start for the first three stations of the new line. The stations, trains and systems have passed all tests, the pre-operation activities, and the simulations necessary to allow the section to become fully operational.

The result was also made possible thanks to the collaboration between Webuild and Astaldi, through Astaldi’s composition with creditors, as part of Progetto Italia. This industrial operation allowed the continuity of activities envisaged by the project, despite the financial complexities linked to the Astaldi agreement, therefore allowing for the work's operational and financial continuity, while also accelerating the process for obtaining the authorizations from the entities involved.

The new line, commissioned by the Municipality of Milan, is built by the M4 Concession holder responsible for carrying out and managing the work; it includes the Municipality of Milan and a group of private partners, led by the Webuild Group, including Astaldi.

The new section was built with innovative technologies, without a driver on board (it is a driverless system), which will increase travellers’ safety. It will also connect Linate airport to the city centre in just 12 minutes, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the city’s transport system, while also allowing an estimated annual reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 75,000 tons.

The first functional section, which includes 3 stations (Linate, Repetti, and Forlanini FS), extends entirely underground for about 4 kilometres. It connects Milan's Linate Airport, one of the city’ main access gates, to the Forlanini FS station, an important strategic intermodal hub for Milan's public transport system, thanks to the metro infrastructure's proximity to the railway line.