The public debate on the "Closing Rome's Rail Ring" project launched and presented at the Capitol. The objective of the debate is to inform and illustrate the intervention program aimed at increasing passenger trains in the Rome node, creating an alternative route for freight traffic and improving collective mobility. The project envisages a connection between the Vigna Clara and Val d'Ala stations, through the new Tor di Quinto stop, as well as some punctual modifications of the General Regulatory Plan in Roma Tiburtina: in this way, the existing railway lines arranged as spokes from the center outward will be connected to each other allowing an integrated mobility system to be offered.
The two lots submitted for public debate are : the Vigna Clara - Tor di Quinto section (Lot 1B) and the Tor di Quinto - Val d'Ala section with modifications to the Tiburtina PRG (Lot 2). The overall route of Lots 1B and 2 runs between Vigna Clara station, continues to Tor di Quinto and, after crossing the Tiber, joins the freight line eastbound at Val d'Ala.
In a note from RFI, the new rail link will integrate with the national, regional and local public transport rail networks of Roma Capitale, representing, in addition, a concrete contribution in terms of urban regeneration. In particular, possible new opportunities for sustainable mobility and reconnection of environmental plots, the project may represent an opportunity to realize; in synergy with the local government, the continuity of the municipal bicycle network, through additional sections to connect new stations and integration with existing ones. The work contributes to the achievement of key sustainability goals, from climate neutrality pushed by the European Green Deal, to the UN 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to the EU 2021-2027 Territorial Cohesion Policy.
For Caterina Cittadino, President of the National Commission for Public Debate: "The institution of Public Debate is derived from the constitutional principle of participatory democracy. Increasingly, there has been a growing realization of how fundamental the confrontation is with those territories where these major works impact. The 'Closing Rome's Rail Ring' will make mobility in the Capital more sustainable, for citizens and people coming to the city and therefore ; it must be known and understood." Professor Roberto Zucchetti, Public Debate Coordinator and Senior Advisor to PTSCLAS, said: "The project has already reached the technical and economic feasibility study, so all the information needed to evaluate it is available. This does not mean that everything is already defined, on some issues it will still be possible to intervene and it is very important to listen to those who live in the places crossed and may lead to the adoption of different solutions from those currently assumed."
For Vera Fiorani, Extraordinary Commissioner for the construction of the work and CEO of RFI: "The launch of the public debate for the Closure of the Rome Rail Ring marks an important stage in the realization of the work, allowing stakeholders and the community to give their input to arrive at shared solutions. The proposals brought by administrations and citizens who live in and know the areas affected by the new works help us to enrich the design choices and bring out possible critical issues. The two lots that will be illustrated in these weeks will make it possible to connect Vigna Clara to Tor di Quinto by 2027 and then complete the Ring with the extension of the line to Val d'Ala station by 2029. After reactivating the single-track section from Vigna Clara to Valle Aurelia and reopening the doors of Vigna Clara station, RFI's commitment is now to realize the doubling of the Valle Aurelia - Vigna Clara section by the Jubilee of 2025 and then complete the Closure of the Railway Ring."
According to Eugenio Patanè, Councillor for Mobility Roma Capitale: "The start of the Public Debate for the realization of the interventions that will lead to the Closure of the Railway Ring is the good news that Rome has been waiting for many years and for which we thank RFI, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana. The realization of the new node, which will connect the northern quadrant of the city not only with the FL3 Cesano-Viterbo line and the A and B metro lines but; also with Rome Tiburtina, is a strategic intervention for the so-called rail care in the heart of Rome and is consistent with our administration's goal of incentivizing public transport with the consequent decrease in private traffic. We look forward to getting into the technical issues to be discussed in the working tables of the public debate so that we can have our say on the many aspects to be examined."
For Davide Bordoni, Advisor to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, "The Ministry is following with great attention; the infrastructure projects related to the Capital and; in particular, the interventions related to Metro C and the Peschiera Aqueduct. The issue of the Closure of the Rome Railway Ring is an old one and will be followed with due care in all its planning and decision-making steps, favoring the coordination between the Ministry, Roma Capitale, Lazio Region and RFI."
More information on upcoming meetings and the progress of the work can be found at the following website: https://dp.anelloferroviarioroma.it/