The project is part of the 110km Ferrovia Circumetnea that circles Mount Etna near the city of Catania. It was built in 1898, and is operated by a company of the same name that is separate from Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, which runs the rest of the island’s network.

SIS, a joint venture between Turin-based investment company Fininc and Spanish public–private partnership specialist Sacyr, will share the project, with the former owning 51% of the equity.

The line will run through the city of Catania in eastern Sicily, from Misterbianco station and the Ardizzone tunnel. This element is worth €532m. There will be an additional 900m section from the tunnel to Paternò station, which is expected to cost €113m.

Altogether, the line will have four underground sections and above-ground sections; including five stations: Giaconia, Belpasso, Valcorrente, Gullotta and Paternò. There will also be two train sheds.