Lyon-Turin: The Backbone of European Rail
Europe is committed to a deep transformation of its mobility systems. To address the climate emergency, reduce road congestion, and support the growth of transnational exchanges, it is focusing on the development of a high-performance, connected, and sustainable rail network.
The Lyon-Turin project embodies this ambition. It is a key link in the Mediterranean Corridor, which will tomorrow connect Spain to Central Europe via Lyon. On a continental scale, it represents far more than just infrastructure: it is a cornerstone of modal shift, the opening up of Alpine territories, and the strengthening of European cohesion.
Three Sections, One Shared Goal
The project consists of three complementary and interdependent segments:
- The French section, approximately 140 km long, currently in the detailed study phase.
- The cross-border section, already under construction, including the 57.5 km base tunnel.
- The Italian section, in the detailed study phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lyon-Turin railway project aims to connect France and Italy with a new, modern, and fast line. It will reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles by 1 million on alpine roads and decrease air pollution by offering a more competitive and environmentally friendly railway alternative. The expected benefits for freight transport are increased efficiency and capacity, and for passenger transport, the ability to run international, national, or regional trains faster and more frequently.
The Lyon-Turin project is divided into three sections: the French section, the cross-border section, and the Italian section. This division is due to the project's scale and complexity, requiring coordination among several project owners within their respective scopes of responsibility (SNCF Réseau, TELT(1), and RFI(2)). It allows for specific responses to the needs and particularities of each section. The French section connects the east of the Lyon metropolitan area to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, interconnecting with the cross-border section, which is currently under construction.
(1) Company created by an international treaty between the French and Italian states to build the cross-border section.
(2) Company that manages the Italian railway network, similar to SNCF Réseau in France.
SNCF Réseau, appointed by the State, is the project owner for the French section of the Lyon-Turin. The Project Owner conducts studies for the new line and its integration into the traversed territories, adhering to objectives set by funders and in consultation with local elected officials. Funding for these studies is provided by the European Union, the Ministry of Transport, and certain local authorities (the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, the departments of Rhône and Savoie, the Mixed Syndicate for Mobilities of the Grenoble Area (SMMAG), and the agglomeration communities of Grand Annecy, Grand Chambéry, and Grand Lac).
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