Ponte al Pino: removal of the old deck completed
The installation of the new bridge is scheduled for the second phase of the works: from 26 to 30 July 2026
Key points
Major works at the Florence railway junction – Day 2. On the afternoon of Tuesday 7 July 2026, the removal of the old deck of the Ponte al Pino road overpass was completed. Work by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI, a company of the FS Group) in the Tuscan capital is proceeding according to schedule. The first phase of the project is due to be completed at 4 am on Friday 9 July.
The old bridge was cut into three sections and moved using a 2,000-tonne crane, with a lifting capacity of up to 1,600 tonnes – one of the largest of its kind used in Europe for this type of operation. The crane came from the United States; it arrived at the port of La Spezia in recent weeks and was subsequently transported to Florence by special haulage. At the same time, the footbridge was reopened, restoring an important link for local residents in the area affected by the works.
Demolition of the existing abutments is now under way; this work is preparatory to the construction of the new structures ahead of the launch of the new bridge, scheduled to take place during the second construction window, from 11 pm on Sunday 26 July to 11 am on Thursday 30 July. As work progresses, Via degli Artisti will reopen by the morning of Wednesday 8 July, with traffic gradually returning to normal in the area affected by the building site.
Around 70 people from leading Italian companies in the construction and heavy-lift sectors are working on the site. The complexity of the work requires highly specialised skills and the involvement of the best professionals available.
The bridge replacement works have forced the suspension of rail services at the Florence hub, affecting both high-speed trains (Frecciarossa and Italo) and regional services, causing disruption to passengers and understandably leading to discontent. However, according to RFI, the plan put in place to minimise the impact on rail services is working (numerous high-speed trains are being diverted via the Tyrrhenian line). The company explains: “The reorganisation of the timetable and the provision of replacement services are ensuring that scheduled connections at the Florence railway hub are maintained, whilst passenger flows and traffic patterns are constantly monitored.”
