Work in progress

At the moment, no specific work is planned in this section; the track was quadrupled between 1985 and 1992 with the elimination of all level crossings and the modernization of all stops and stations.

Affori
Work is under way to build the new interchange station with underground line MM3 being extended close to the existing level crossing in via Astesani and also to close down 2 level crossings which will be replaced by a pedestrian overpass in via Taccoli – Ippocrate and a vehicle underpass along via Astesani-Comasina to be carried out within the context of MM3 line work. In February, a temporary track deviation was introduced in order to build the station structure with minimum traffic disruption.

• Time scale: scheduled to open in Autumn 2010.
• Investment: 28,6 million Euros.

Palazzolo Milanese
- Project 1: work to upgrade the station with a pedestrian subway including lifts for disabled access, high platforms, platform covering for waiting travellers, information systems for the public and engineering work.
- Project 2: a new vehicle underpass in via Bolivia – via Manzoni and work to reorganize the surface road system and parking facility.

• Time scale: Station opened in January 2006; the underpass was completed in may 2009.
• Investment: 15,3 million Euros.

Bovisio Masciago
Project: Work to upgrade the station with the construction of a pedestrian subway, high platforms and engineering work (rail bed, superstructure, TE (electrictraction), etc.).

• Time scale: station upgrade realized in Autumn 2008; beginning of second part of work planned for june 2009.
• Investment: 4,7 million Euros.

Project: the level crossings have all been automated for which the Gruppo FNM invested about 50 million Euros, and BCA (Axle Counting Block devices) have been installed.

At the moment, the following work is in progress:

Substituion of level crossings at km 5+512 and km 5+784 in Roncadelle (a road parallel to the track will be linked to the present road network of via Roncadelle and roundabout in Via Vallecamonica/Via Saviore (instead of a crossroad) at Brescia.

• Time scale: completion expected for septembre 2009.
• Investment: 0,9 million Euros.

Realization of an interchange area at Capo di Ponte (Brescia) and a pedestrian and bicycle underpass resulting from the suppression of level crossing at km 55+924.

• Time scale: completion expected by January 2010
• Investment: 1,042 million Euros

Adaptation to an alternative road system at Sonico aimed at eliminating two level crossings at km 74+569 and km 74+561; construction of a roundabout on the junction betwen state road 42 and provincial road 82; new overpass over the railway track.

• Time scale: the work which is supervised by the city administration is expected to be completed by september 2009.
• Investment: 1,781 million Euros.

Sistema Supporto Condotta (Ssc)
Project - Installing the SSC on the entire network and on all rolling stock.
For this purpose, the new rolling stock order already includes equipment with the SCMT On-Board Subsystem so as to operate on the Passante and on the other RFI lines. The SSC system was found to be the best solution for the FERROVIENORD network because it is quicker and less cumbersome to install.
While funding and technological partner selection details are being decided, performance specifications are being defined, including adaptation to the specific characteristics of a highly frequented network offering underground-like services such as the FERROVIENORD network.

• Time scale: to be completed on all rolling stock by march 2010.
• Investment: 45 million Euros

Novate Milanese
Project 1: construction of a new rolling stock washing shed
Project 2: construction of a new drying and underframe wash shed
Project 3: construction of a new wheel set lathe shed

• Time scale: on project 1 completion is expected in summer 2009; on project 2, the final design is completed and contract will be given in summer 2009; for project 3, approval from Region Lombardy is expected to begin the work.
• Investment: 26 million Euros.

At the moment, there is no work being carried out in this section.

Castellanza
The tunnel being built in Castellanza will make it possible to increase the frequency of service to Malpensa and to reduce travel time thus taking a further step towards the construction of the Gronda Nord. In fact, along the Novara – Saronno – Seregno line, trains travelling westwards and eastwards will be able to avoid crossing the Milan railway junction thus reducing rail congestion in the area. The tunnel will open in 2009.
In total, the Castellanza project (underground tracks, RFI-FERROVIENORD spur tracks, the new station and all related works) required a 140 million euro investment.

Castellanza - project 1
integrated tender to carry out the Castellanza underground civil engineering work: construction of two single-track tunnels constructed dead hole with a mechanized shield (LOTTO 1).

• Time scale: Work ended in July 2007.
• Investment: 48 million Euros.

Castellanza - project 2
Construction of the Busto Arsizio spur track – the resulting rail and engineering work related to the re-establishment of the so-called Raccordo X (a single track between the station of Busto FS and Busto FERROVIENORD), road and engineering work related to the planned Raccordo Z (a single track between Busto FS and the new FERROVIENORD Castellanza station) ( Lotto X).

• Time scale: work ended in May 2008.
• Investment: 4,6 million Euros.

Castellanza - project 3
Completion of work of the Rescaldina – Busto section, engineering work, cutting and artificial tunnel, the new Castellanza suspended station, road work with new under- and over-passes, station and line engineering work, superstructure, electric traction, signalling, telecommunications and a new electric sub-station ( LOTTO 2).

This will make it possible to complete the double track between Rescaldina and Busto Arsizio, which is indispensable to increase the frequency and the speed of links with Malpensa and to make the Gronda Nord Novara – Saronno – Seregno line safer.

• Time scale: work is scheduled to end by the end of 2009.
• Investment: 70 million Euros.

Castano - Turbigo: project 2
Development of the section thanks to partial track doubling, layout correction, adaptation/replacement of crossings with the elimination of present level crossings, modernization of electrification plants, signalling and telecommunications, upgrading of station facilities including construction of high platforms, platform coverings and subways.

• Time scale: following the "Services Conference" with all those concerned, which ended in September 2006, the definitive project was adopted by the Lombardy Region, on 2nd August last. On 17 November 2008, the Convention for financing by Lombardy Region was subscribed. The call for tenders is scheduled to be opened by June 2009..
• Investment: 60 million Euros.

Project: re-establishment and electrification of the Saronno - Seregno line with a modified route in the city of Saronno and the introduction of a new 3.5 Km line; improving the rail bed, modifying the superstructure and doubling the current railway line in the Saronno, Solaro, Ceriano L. and Cesano Maderno areas; elimination of all existing level crossings, new signalling and telecommunications systems, repositioning stops and upgrading all station facilities.

• Time scale: Work will begin once the final design drawn up by the contractor is approved and is expected to last 24 months.
• Investment: 75.5 million Euros.