The project to upgrade the section between Gallarate and Rho involves a series of works that can be divided into two phases. The first involves the four-track expansion of the Rho – Parabiago section, with an extension of approximately 8 km, and the creation of a connection to Malpensa Airport via the construction of a link (Y-junction) between the RFI line and the Seregno – Saronno – Novara line operated by Ferrovie Nord, at Busto Arsizio station. The second phase involves the three-track expansion of the Parabiago–Gallarate section over a distance of approximately 23 km.
The project to expand the line between Rho and Parabiago to four tracks involves works at the Rho and Parabiago stations to install a new pair of tracks, the creation of a new stop at Nerviano, and the construction of a new link between the RFI line and the Seregno–Saranno–Novara line operated by Ferrovienord. This link, known as the “Y-junction”, is located near Castellanza and will provide direct connections from Milan to Malpensa Airport, which also has a station on the Busto Arsizio Nord – Malpensa T2 – Casorate Sempione branch line, also operated by Ferrovienord. The second phase, on the other hand, involves the construction of a new track between Parabiago and Gallarate.
The project has received partial public funding, including NRRP funds.
With effect from 12 March 2026, the date on which Decree-Law No. 36 (published in the Official Gazette No. 58 of 11 March 2026) came into force, in accordance with Article 5 of that decree, the Chief Executive Officer of RFI SpA has taken over from the previously appointed Extraordinary Commissioners.
Advantages
- Potential increase in capacity from the current 10 trains per hour to 24 trains per hour across the two lines up to Parabiago;
- Possibility of introducing additional suburban services to increase the frequency;
- Improved service regularity by specialising traffic on the two lines.
