RFI upgrades Naples–Foggia railway to high-capacity standard

The Naples–Foggia railway, operated by RFI, is being progressively upgraded to "Alta Capacità" (high-capacity) standard with permitted speeds of 180–200 km/h, including double-tracking and new sections (e.g. Cancello–Frasso Telesino–Dugenta, the Apice–Orsara di Puglia bypass). Several sections are already complete, such as the Bovino–Foggia bypass (opened 2017); RFI targets a two-hour Naples–Bari journey time by 2026. The source does not specify an investment figure. Update (8 May 2026): On the Naples–Bari line (145 km with 15 tunnels, 25 viaducts and 20 stations and stops) excavation of the 6.5 km Rocchetta tunnel in the Apice–Hirpinia section is complete; the tunnel boring machine Futura took 18 months, and excavation of the roughly 4.4 km Melito tunnel is due to start by summer. The Cancello–Frasso Telesino section (about 16.5 km) opened in September 2025 as single track and in February 2026 as double track; the double-track upgrades Frasso–Telese and Telese–Vitulano are close to completion, with 7 of the 8 tunnels finished. (LOK Report, 8 May 2026)