Milan Metro 6: Public Debate Begins on Route Design
Milan, Lombardy, Italy – The participatory process to determine the route of Milan’s Metro 6 has officially begun, with city officials inviting citizens to contribute to the design of the new line. This project, initially discussed years ago, re-emerged on the municipal agenda approximately a year ago, moving from a mere suggestion to a concrete item on the municipal administration’s agenda.
The current discussions outline five or six potential routes, significantly narrowed down from an initial 70 possibilities. These proposals were presented during a joint Council Commission on Mobility and Civic Services, Relations with the Municipalities and Digitalisation of the Municipality of Milan. Councillors Arianna Censi (Mobility) and Gaia Romani (Participation and Decentralisation) introduced the plans, emphasizing the strategic importance of this intervention.
Strengthening Southern Milan’s Mobility
The primary goal of Metro 6 is to enhance mobility in the southern part of Milan, particularly within City Hall 5. However, the proposed routes vary, ranging from a metro line exclusively serving this area, with interconnections to existing lines, to a more extensive north-south service. Discussions also include the modalities of construction, considering both traditional underground metro lines and mixed underground-surface routes.
Given the profound and lasting impact a new metro line will have on the city’s structure and the quality of life in affected territories, the municipal administration has decided to supplement the feasibility study with a comprehensive public involvement process. Councillors Censi and Romani stated, “The construction of a new metro line represents an intervention of strategic importance destined to have a profound and lasting impact on the structure of the city and the quality of life of the territories it passes through. For this reason, the administration considers it fundamental to accompany the project with ways of public involvement.”
Two Phases of Public Involvement
The participatory process will unfold in two distinct phases. The initial phase will focus on presenting the various scenarios and analysis criteria, mapping territorial sensitivities, and collecting feedback and contributions from citizens. The second phase will commence after the final route and the first section to be constructed have been identified.
During the route definition process, interchanges with existing metro and railway lines will be considered “fixed” nodes. Conversely, “mobile” nodes will be those points where discussions with local communities can be developed. Citizens will have the opportunity to express observations, propose solutions, and highlight specific needs related to these mobile nodes. An initial definition of the route is anticipated by the end of 2026.
Long-Term Project with Significant Investment
The construction of an underground railway is a lengthy and resource-intensive undertaking. Milan’s recent history demonstrates that such infrastructure projects can take up to ten years to complete, involving costs in the billions. The municipality alone cannot bear these expenses, making decisive support from the government and European Union crucial, not only for construction but also for ongoing management. Public transport services currently account for one-third of Milan’s entire municipal budget.
