Imagine unearthing ancient Roman secrets while building a modern metro system—that's exactly what's happening at Rome's Venezia Station! This project is a testament to the delicate balance between preserving history and embracing progress. Webuild and its partners in the Metro C Consortium have officially kicked off the second major phase of this ambitious undertaking, one of the most technically and archaeologically challenging aspects of Rome's metro expansion. This exciting milestone follows the completion of the initial phase, which involved meticulous archaeological excavations, structural reinforcements, and protective measures in the city's historic heart.
But here's where it gets fascinating: The Venezia Station is just one piece of the larger Line C puzzle, a 29-kilometer, 31-station infrastructure project set to transform Rome's transportation network. On November 16, construction entered its next critical stage, focusing on finalizing the station's structural framework. Led by Webuild and Vianini Lavori, the Metro C Consortium is working tirelessly on behalf of Roma Metropolitane to bring this vision to life.
And this is the part most people miss: The first phase, launched in June 2023 after careful utility relocations and heritage site protections, was a marvel of engineering. It included the installation of 124 diaphragm walls—91 permanent and 33 temporary—reaching depths of up to 85 meters and thicknesses of 1.5 meters. An additional 18 walls were constructed to support a fire shaft on Via dei Fori Imperiali. To put it in perspective, 35,000 cubic meters of soil were excavated and replaced with an equal volume of concrete, reinforced by 4,700 tonnes of steel.
Now, let's talk about the archaeological treasures: Excavations, which began in May 2025 under the watchful eye of the Special Superintendency of Rome, revealed a treasure trove of Roman and medieval structures. Among the discoveries were remnants of the ancient Via Flaminia and parts of historic multi-story residential buildings known as insulae. To safeguard these priceless artifacts, over 1,500 monitoring instruments were installed across iconic sites like Basilica Ulpia, Trajan’s Forum, and Palazzo Bonaparte.
The second phase promises even more excitement, with extensive soil consolidation, completion of the diaphragm walls, further utility relocations, and a new archaeological dig extending 4–5 meters below ground. Simultaneously, work will continue on a shaft along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
But here's the controversial part: As Webuild pushes forward with Line C, including the upcoming T1 and T2 sections, questions arise about balancing rapid urban development with the preservation of Rome's rich historical fabric. Section T2, a 4-kilometer stretch linking Venezia to Clodio/Mazzini and crossing the Tiber River, will feature four stations, two of which—Chiesa Nuova and San Pietro—will be designed as archeo-stations to celebrate the area's heritage. Yet, some critics argue that such projects risk overshadowing the very history they aim to honor.
With over 890 kilometers of metro lines constructed globally, Webuild remains a leader in the field, with major projects underway in Italy, France, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. Recent international achievements include the completion of Milan Metro Line 4, Thessaloniki's first underground line, Riyadh Metro Line 3, and Naples' Monte Sant’Angelo “Art Station.”
What do you think? Is Rome striking the right balance between progress and preservation? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your perspective!
