In Naples, from Monday 7 April, work will begin on the enhancement and restoration of the tram line in the section that extends from Acton street, Galleria Vittoria, Piazza Vittoria, up to Piazza Sannazaro passing through Riviera di Chiaia and Via Giordano Bruno. Added to this is the design of the interchange hub with the Linea 2 station in San Giovanni a Teduccio and the extension of the tram up to Mergellina, with interchange with the funicular. This will create the 'sea tram', 10 km along the entire coast of Naples.
Also on April 7, the construction site for the extension of the current tram line on Via Stadera will begin, which will extend to the ANM depot on Via Nazionale delle Puglie. Both interventions are co-financed by Pnrr funds and, therefore, the completion of the works will be by June 2026. As also foreseen in the Pums of Naples, this expansion and modernization of the urban tram network responds to "the need to enhance the offer of sustainable collective transport on routes with high demand, through the use of large-capacity vehicles in high-frequency service".
The financing of 11 trams, also with Pnrr funds, currently in production, is associated with the infrastructural development. This is – as stated in a note from Palazzo San Giacomo – an intervention with high historical and cultural value, considering that Naples has had trams since 1876″.
At present, the operation of the tram network along the coast, towards the West starting from the Porta Nolana area, is interrupted in via Cristoforo Colombo at the height of Molo Beverello and Piazza del Municipio. The current reactivation program provides for interoperability between Line 1, Line 6 of the subway and the Mergellina funicular "with the advantage of supporting collective surface transport through a tram system of high technological standards also through the use of large-capacity carriers in high-frequency service.
Furthermore, the design choices include the installation of an anti-vibration mat under the sleepers and replacing in certain sections even old material that causes annoying vibrations in the preferential lanes even when other vehicles pass, in particular in via Giordano Bruno. This type of armament also allows for the reduction of noise pollution and aims to restore the functionality of the infrastructure while respecting the state of the places prior to the construction works of Line 1 and Line 6 of the subway”.
“The strengthening of the city tram system is part of the plan scenarios approved in January 2025 with the update of the Pums – said the councilor for Infrastructure, Mobility and Civil Protection, Edoardo Cosenza - The restoration and extension of the sea tram represents an important goal of sustainable mobility for citizens and tourists, complementary to the subway system”.
Article published on 4 April 2025 - 15:22
It is interesting that work is finally starting on the tram in Naples, but I hope that the work will not cause too much disturbance to residents. The Pnrr funds are a good thing, but we must see if they will be used well.