Technical details
Customer
SNCF Réseau
Dates

2017-2018

Missions
Project Management, Technical inspections
Location
France and Italy
Activity
Railways

Connecting Cuneo to Ventimiglia between France and Italy, this transnational mountain line, inaugurated in 1928, is unusual in that it crosses the Franco-Italian border twice: although its terminals are in Italy, part of the line is in France.

A BIG CHALLENGE

The objective was a major one: to renew 7km of rail and two rail bridges, replace a large part of the ballast and reinforce the Col de Tende tunnel, modernise the signalling system, and prepare for ground movements by installing rockfall detectors and deploying 9 nets and 6 wall retention screens. This work meant that the line had to be shut down for 10 months.

A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERTISES

10 months of works were required for the reopening of the line which was carried out within the timeframe specified by our client SNCF Réseau. This assignment made full use of SYSTRA’s numerous technical skills, from infrastructure, such as track and earthworks, to signalling, energy and telecommunications.

Trains began running again on 13th July 2018 for the ‘Train des Merveilles’ (Train of Wonders) with four return journeys each day. It is one of Europe’s most picturesque railway lines, linking Cuneo in the Italian Alps to Ventimiglia on the Italian coast, passing through the ‘Vallée des Merveilles’ (Valley of Wonders) in Mercantour in the French Alps.