E78 Grosseto – Siena, inspection of the Casal di Pari tunnel and lot 9

Work continues on the widening of the E 78 to 4 lanes in the stretch between Siena and Grosseto where the inspection by the president of the Tuscany Region took place this morning together with the Commissioner of Anas, the regional councilors for infrastructure and production activities, the director of infrastructure of the Region, the mayors of the territory. Specifically, this morning’s visit concerned the adaptation of the Casal di Pari tunnel and lot 9 of the construction site.
The works are much broader and also concern other lots already financed: 9 lots are in operation, 3 in execution, among these there is also lot 4 which concerns the adaptation to 4 lanes between Civitella Marittima and Lanzo which this morning was not been the subject of the inspection.

The synergy between the Region and Anas is developing a strong acceleration, as explained by the president of the Tuscany Region, for what is a vital infrastructure for Tuscany and central Italy. Among the objectives is also that of better connecting Siena, Arezzo, Florence and bringing then the Maremma to Florence in one hour. It’s an absolute priority.

The visit began at the construction site where the adaptation works of the existing Casal di Pari tunnel are underway. The intervention, for a total investment of 35 million euros, concerns the redevelopment of the old tunnel, currently closed with two-way traffic diverted onto the new tunnel recently built as part of the four-lane doubling works. The works consist of the partial demolition of the existing concrete cladding, the construction of the new internal cladding and the installation of technological and safety systems according to the most recent standards: LED lighting, luminous signs, variable message panels, SOS columns, fire detection and extinguishing.

At the end of the works, transit will therefore be regulated on four lanes, two in each direction, in continuity with the section. The construction of the final coverings is currently underway as it advances towards Siena. Completion is expected in the first half of 2025.

Subsequently, the inspection involved the construction site of lot 9 which concerns a stretch of approximately 11.8 km between the Iesa and San Rocco a Pilli junctions, in the municipalities of Sovicille, Murlo and Monticiano, in the province of Siena, for an investment total of 195 million euros.

The intervention consists in the adaptation of the SS223 “di Paganico” to four lanes through the construction of a new carriageway alongside the existing one. The works include the construction of coplanar roads to connect to the local road system, 3 junctions at staggered levels, 4 new viaducts over the Merse river and the Ornate ditch, numerous other minor works (4 overpasses, 3 underpasses, 12 overpasses over the river courses water) in addition to the adaptation of the existing roadway and environmental monitoring services during construction.

Earthmoving, reclamation and preparation of the laying plan for the new embankments are currently underway along most of the entire route of approximately 12 km. Anas is also providing for the construction of the foundations of some hydraulic crossings and the execution of support works with large diameter piles.

Completion of the works, which began in March 2023, is expected in spring 2026.

NOTE. The press release was drafted in an impersonal form in compliance with the provisions on equal conditions adopted with the calling of the electoral rallies for the European and administrative elections of 8 and 9 June 2024.