Construction of the Pedemontana Lombarda Highway in northern Italy has reached a new phase, as a consortium led by Webuild, with partner Pizzarotti, deployed seven hydromills to accelerate works on Sections B2 and C.
The project, managed for Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda and grantor Concessioni Autostradali Lombarde, involves building more than 26km of highway.
It aims to support connectivity between Como, Milan, Varese, Monza and Brianza and Bergamo, one of Europe’s most urbanised and industrialised regions.
According to the consortium, the work is progressing on schedule and features one of the largest hydromill fleets currently operating in Italy.
The hydromills, each weighing over 400t and standing taller than 24m, are being used to construct diaphragm walls for the underground sections of the new highway.
Approximately 85% of the two sections will run through artificial tunnels and trenches, a design intended to reduce noise and limit impact on communities while creating space for new public and green areas along the route.
Section B2 covers about 9km from Lentate sul Seveso to Cesano Maderno, while Section C continues for around 16km to the interchange with Milan’s A51 Eastern Ring Road at Usmate Velate.
Both sections include work on trenches, embankments, viaducts, tunnels and upgrades to adjacent local roads.
The hydromills form diaphragm walls up to 40m deep, supporting the 'Milan Method' approach in which the walls and tunnel roof are constructed ahead of excavation to minimise disturbance at ground level.
According to Webuild, this configuration delivers significant productivity gains, with each hydromill able to produce three to four diaphragm panels per day, compared with traditional rates of three to four panels per week.
When fully utilised, the seven machines can install approximately 130 panels in one week.
The highway will incorporate smart infrastructure, including Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) that enable communication between vehicles and the road network. It will provide real-time alerts for incidents and roadworks, along with diagnostic tools to monitor structural integrity. Together, these features are intended to support the future integration of self-driving vehicles.
Webuild-led consortium was awarded the €1.26bn ($1.4bn) contract for Pedemontana Lombarda Highway Sections B2 and C in September 2021.
Webuild reports the works have created around 18,400 jobs across the value chain since the project’s launch, involving 11,100 directly and indirectly on northern Italian sites and a supply network of 5,000 firms.
Over the next decade, the project is expected to generate an additional €4.4bn in revenue for local industries.
