A Besix and Donati joint venture has started construction on a new 3.3km stretch of road to improve access to the international Port of Ancona on the east coast of Italy.
The works include two excavated tunnels and a 285m viaduct and are expected to take 43 months.
Commissioned by ANAS, Italy’s national road authority, the project involves the design and construction of a 3.3km road link connecting the port to the Strada Statale 16 ‘Adriatica’, bypassing the narrow passage through the village of Torrette. ANAS’s total investment is €150m.
Donati-Besix say a standout feature of the project is the improved construction methodology they have proposed for the 470m Torrette 1 tunnel. Rather than applying the cut and cover method, which would require extensive soil removal and surface disruption, the team proposed an excavated tunnel with, at the point with the lowest overburden, stabilisation of the excavation front through consolidation from above.
The joint venture says this approach reduces CO2 emissions, minimises noise and dust pollution, and avoids the need to reroute the road above, including cables and ducts positioned next to it.
The project is expected to bring long-term benefits to the Marche region by enhancing the efficiency of freight and passenger transport to and from the port, supporting local industry, and reinforcing Ancona’s role as a key logistics hub on the Adriatic coast.
Besix residents manager Italy, Nico De Koning, said the project was a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainable and intelligent engineering.
“We are proud that the methodology for the Torrette 1 tunnel was a decisive factor in securing this contract. It reflects our broader expertise in delivering complex infrastructure works across Europe,” he said.
Donati managing director Angelica Donati said the company was pleased to be working with Besix again.
“We are delighted to begin work on this landmark project, which stands out for its technical innovation and environmental sensitivity – qualities that are increasingly essential in modern infrastructure development and which were central to our joint proposal,” she said.
