High-Speed Rail Salerno-Reggio Calabria: Falcomatà in Naples Calls for Competitive Times and Integrated Project for Southern Italy’s Development
Naples, January 27, 2026 – The construction of the Salerno-Reggio Calabria high-speed rail line must guarantee competitive travel times and certainty of resources, with a project conceived in its entirety as an engine for the development of the entire South. This was reiterated yesterday in Naples by Giuseppe Falcomatà, Regional Councillor for the Democratic Party and former Mayor of Reggio Calabria, speaking at the conference “Connecting the Future. The Salerno-Reggio Calabria High-Speed Line Unites the South,” promoted by the Merita Foundation and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane.
The event, held in the Sala dei Baroni of the Maschio Angioino, saw the participation of Stefano Donnarumma, CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato; Claudio De Vincenti, former Minister for the South; Lucio Menta, Extraordinary Commissioner for the AV Salerno-Reggio Calabria enhancement; and Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples, with a remote connection from Edoardo Rixi, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.
Falcomatà’s Key Statement: Integration into the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor
Falcomatà emphasized the importance of integrating Reggio Calabria into the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor and highlighted the need for careful monitoring of the infrastructure’s project evolution: “The central point is not just ‘being there,’ but understanding what kind of High-Speed will reach the Strait. Data confirms our full inclusion in the corridor, but it is essential that travel times are truly competitive.”
The Councillor cited academic studies according to which the GDP of cities connected by AV grows significantly only when connection times drop below three hours: “If travel times from Reggio Calabria to Rome remained above four hours, it would be difficult to speak of true High-Speed capable of changing the economic face of the territory. This requires intervention with possible route modifications.”
High-Speed Rail and Logistic Development in Calabria
Falcomatà also highlighted the link between AV and the logistic development of Calabria, with reference to the Port of Gioia Tauro and its interport: “High-Speed Rail is not just for passengers, but must also become a lever for the development of freight transport. Rail must become economically competitive compared to road, reducing environmental impact and strengthening the entire logistics chain.”
Falcomatà’s intervention reaffirmed the urgency of a comprehensive and strategic project for High-Speed Rail in Southern Italy, capable of transforming the Salerno-Reggio Calabria line into a true driving force for the economic and infrastructural development of the region.
The conference underscored the critical role of infrastructure in regional development and the need for a holistic approach that considers both passenger and freight transport, aiming for a significant reduction in travel times to unlock the full economic potential of the connected areas.
The discussions at the Maschio Angioino brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, and academia, reflecting a broad consensus on the strategic importance of this project for the future of Southern Italy. The commitment from Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and the support from regional and national authorities signal a concerted effort to push this vital infrastructure project forward.
Further details on the project’s timeline and specific route adjustments are expected to be announced in the coming months as the monitoring and planning phases progress. The emphasis remains on ensuring that the final implementation delivers on the promise of competitive travel times and robust economic benefits for the entire Mezzogiorno.
Source: reggiotv.it
