Ports of Genoa starts €1 billion subsea tunnel

Autostrade per L’Italia – the Italian government department leading the works – has unveiled a design by architect Renzo Piano, who also designed the new Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, to link the western and eastern sides of the city by tunnelling underneath the port basin.

The €1 billion tunnel will be 3.4 kilometres long, 16 metres wide and 45 metres beneath sea level. Two tubes will run along its length for traffic to flow in each direction, with the Autostrade per L’Italia estimating it will save a million hours of road travel every year.

Work began by knocking down a large industrial warehouse using two giant cranes with grapples, which opened up an area of 25,000 square metres to build the opening of the western entrance, where excavation works will begin. The tunnel is expected to be open to traffic in August 2029.

The subport tunnel is only part of a major urban regeneration project for Genoa, which is having three other tunnels dug for the railway junction.

The Port of Genoa is also having a major upgrade, with a 6.2km breakwater being built on a base 50 metres deep.

So far, a million tonnes of gravel have been laid along the seabed by Italian engineering firm Webuild Group, which has also submerged 1,320 gravel columns at the port, that were transported to Genoa on three bulk carriers.

Ninety-seven caissons, the largest of which will be as tall as a 10-storey building, will be built.

The breakwater will provide safe access for today’s 450m long ships, which cannot use the Port of Genoa in its current form.

A new 800m turning basin will give the port, Webuild says, the ability to compete with Europe’s biggest ports.

“The sub-port tunnel signifies a pivotal project set to enhance traffic flow in our city while prioritizing safety and sustainability, particularly from an environmental standpoint,” said Genoa’s mayor, Marco Bucci. “It heralds a genuine revolution for Genoa, an unparalleled infrastructure in Italy, and one of the most forward-thinking endeavours in Europe presently.

“From its conception, we’ve held steadfast belief in this project, recognizing it as an engineering feat of the highest calibre. Together with the new Waterfront, the Dam, and the Lanterna Park, it will utterly transform this section of the city.

“We stand prepared to tackle this new challenge head-on, as months of intensive labour lie ahead to realise the vision of the new sub-port tunnel, propelling Genoa boldly into the future.”