Milan, April 3, 2019<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cToday's step is a further and significant one in the process of upgrading the Milan-Zurich-Rotterdam line, which is part of the Gotthard and Terzo Valico infrastructure system, strengthening connections between Italy and Switzerland and, above all, the daily freight transport capacity along Europe's north-south axis, considering that two years ago rail transport across the Alpine region exceeded 70.4 million tons. However, at this point, the construction of the TAV [High-Speed Rail] along the east-west corridor is increasingly essential, an indispensable work for our country. In fact, Alptransit cannot be considered an alternative to the TAV, nor a partially substitutive work, because the two rail network systems are complementary and must integrate to best optimize the directional axes and the continental transport basin. And from a local perspective, looking ahead to Alptransit, the construction of the four-tracking of the Chiasso-Milan railway line is becoming increasingly essential and urgent.<\/em><\/p>\n This was emphasized by the President of the Regional Council of Lombardy while speaking this morning at the inauguration of the new electric traction systems, the new substation, and the new Chiasso electrical transmission TE cabin<\/strong>, along the Milan-Zurich railway line<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is time for the Italian Government as well to make the necessary infrastructure investments requested and put an end to the charade over the TAV<\/em> - added the President of the Regional Council<\/strong>-: The Swiss government has already put nearly 11 billion euros on the table to strengthen its internal logistics network and connections with neighboring countries; we cannot afford to question investments and infrastructure that are essential for our region, from road transport to the high-speed railway sector. Let us not forget that it is precisely high-speed lines and European rail routes such as the TAV that develop and drive the economy, bringing regions closer together, improving travel times, and thus facilitating economic and commercial relations.<\/em><\/p>\n A stance, that of the President, which was fully shared by the various representatives of the institutions and trade associations present, who in turn emphasized the need for certain and urgent investments in terms of railway infrastructure improvements and enhancement, in order to remain competitive within the European system. <\/p>\n The inauguration was preceded by Villa Olmo in Como<\/strong> from a conference promoted by CIFI<\/strong>, the Association of Italian Railway Engineers, during which the new technological solutions adopted were illustrated and a discussion was held on the issues of innovation and technology that constitute the present and future of transportation at an international level. The reports by the RFI Territorial Director followed Luca Cavacchioli<\/strong>, of the technical managers of Italferr<\/strong> and some Swiss Federal Railways<\/strong> on the future development of the Chiasso station, the increase in capacity and safety of border traction systems, and new power supply technologies. The project for the new electrical substation and the Chiasso TE cabin was presented by the technical director of Mont-Ele Marco Pozzoli<\/strong>. <\/p>\n He President of the Regional Council<\/strong> Lombardo expressed satisfaction that such a highly technologically innovative plant was built by a Lombard company, Mont-Ele in Giussano, Brianza<\/strong>, which already operates in many international locations such as Riyadh, Mexico City, Honolulu, Taiwan, and Taipei, \u201csign and demonstration of the quality and competitiveness of Lombard small and medium-sized enterprises even in high-tech sectors where international competition is very strong<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n Considering the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), traffic increases expected<\/strong> resulting from the activation of New Rail Link through the Alps, Gotthard and Ceneri<\/strong>, they have initiated a series of renovation and modification works on the existing systems, including the replacement of the current electronic interlocking system (ACE) of Chiasso, with a significant upgrade of the electrification systems.<\/p>\n On May 27, 2018, the first train powered by the new technological systems (CabinTE and electrical substation)\u2014commissioned by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) and built by the Lombard company Mont-Ele\u2014passed through the Swiss station of Chiasso, and now the newly adopted solutions have become fully operational.<\/p>\n The work defines a new layout for the Italian\/Swiss power supply system, and will allow a increase in the traffic capacity of the Gotthard corridor<\/strong>, in addition to the separate management of the new Italian and Swiss plants, especially in view of the commissioning of the Ceneri Base Tunnel<\/strong> scheduled for 2020.<\/p>\n The construction of the Ceneri Tunnel will involve a improvement of interconnections with Lombardy<\/strong> and the establishment of new railway lines<\/strong> on behalf of TiLo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Italian Railway Network<\/strong> is carrying out technological and infrastructural upgrade works for approximately 500 million euros<\/strong> along the three cross-border crossings of Luino, Chiasso, and Domodossola<\/strong>, including adjustments to allow the transit of loads up to four meters high, the adaptation of the track module to the European standard of 750 meters, and the installation of latest-generation technologies to increase freight and passenger traffic capacity.<\/p>\n
The proceedings were introduced by the Secretary General of CIFI Donato Carillo<\/strong>, which was followed by the speech of the President of the Regional Council of Lombardy, of the cantonal institutional authorities of Ticino<\/strong> represented by Francesco Quattrini and by the representatives of Management of the Ticino Railways<\/strong>.<\/p>\n