The modernisation of 178 km of the Palermo-Catania line will reduce current travel times by a third, linking the two cities with a direct two-hour rail service, which will have a significant impact on economic, social, and sustainable development in Sicily.

The EIB has approved a €2.1 billion mega-intervention, divided into a direct €800 million loan to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and an innovative €1.3 billion counter-guarantee, designed in conjunction with Ferrovie dello Stato, in favour of financial intermediaries, of which €500 million has been earmarked for the pioneering operation with Intesa Sanpaolo and €300 million for the operation with CDP, with a further €500 million yet to be allocated.