Industry Profile

The geography of Italy and the mountainous terrain that separates it from its neighbours mean that tunnels form a vital element of Italy’s domestic transport system- and provide key economic links to the rest of Europe.

With nearly 250 road tunnels of 500m or more, Italy has almost half of the number in the entire EU. Tunnels also feature prominently in Italy’s major rail projects, including the continuing expansion of the High Speed/High Capacity (AV/AC) network. In addition, large-scale international links are planned, such as the high-speed link between Turin and Lyon, entailing a 52km bore beneath the Alps, and twin-tube tunnels of similar length beneath the Brenner as a centrepiece to improve links between Austria and Italy.

Urban rail and metro schemes in some of Italy’s largest cities, including Rome and Turin, are generating further business for tunnel construction firms.

Equipping and modernising tunnels are key sectors of the market. Demands for improvements in tunnel safety, communications and security are leading to significant investments in the latest technologies by tunnel operators.

With such high levels of tunnel construction activity, Turin is the ideal venue for INTERtunnel 2008 – as a showcase for the market in Italy and also for the whole of Europe.