Florence bridge works halt trains, cause up to 2½‑hour delays

Rete Ferroviaria Italiana is replacing the 140‑year‑old Ponte al Pino railway bridge in Florence. The first work window begins at 23:00 on 5 July and runs until 04:00 on 10 July, with a second window scheduled for 26–30 July. During both periods the railway sections Florence Campo di Marte–Firenze Rifredi and Florence Campo di Marte–Firenze Santa Maria Novella are closed, cutting the scheduled train service by about 50 %.

Long‑distance trains will be rerouted on the Tirrenica line, adding up to two‑and‑a‑half hours to high‑speed journeys and about one‑and‑a‑half hours for trips that rely on substitute bus connections. A 2 000‑tonne crane will lift sections of the old bridge (up to 1 600 tonnes) and install a new 550‑tonne structure in a single operation. Free tram service and organised bus shuttles will run between the two main stations for affected passengers. Authorities advise commuters to check timetables, consider remote work where possible and plan extra travel time.