Veronafiere has chosen the dual-national public promoter responsible for the construction and management of the international section of the Turin-Lyon railway line, a company owned 50% by the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition and 50% by the Italian State through Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato, thereby joining an influential roll of honour.
The award was presented on the first day of the 31st SaMoTer (3-7 May), the triennial construction machinery exhibition attended by exhibitors from 23 countries. It is the only event in Italy that highlights this industrial sector that generates turnover of almost €4bn - and this year, it is also the only European event in this sector.
The award was presented by the Managing Director of Veronafiere, Maurizio Danese, to Construction Director, Piergiuseppe Gilli, on behalf of the company, joined by the Director General of TELT, Mario Virano.
"The International Award was created to ensure due recognition for significant projects and works for the construction sector in terms of technology and scientific research," said Maurizio Danese, Managing Director of Veronafiere. "This edition focuses on innovation and sustainability, and we thereby celebrate a project that will be crucial for trade and the mobility of people across the Alps. At the same time, we are delighted to acknowledge the commitment of a public entity - TELT - which, in line with the focus of SaMoTer 2023, shares the European objective of creating a new, faster, more efficient and more sustainable transport network."
"Receiving this award makes us proud and encourages us to carry out this great European project in the name of innovation and excellence. Our special nature as a dual-national Italian-French public promoter has placed us in a unique position internationally, harmonising two cultures with different standards and approaches and being a test ground for continuous experimentation in the various construction sectors. "A challenge - as the Director General of TELT, Mario Virano, pointed out - which we are implementing with the support of high-level universities and research centres; it also involves the search for new solutions in many different fields: from construction techniques to safety at work, protecting the environment, as well as the circular economy for excavated materials and the application of anti-mafia legislation in a transnational context."
The new Turin-Lyon railway line for goods and passengers is currently under construction; it is 270 km long (70% in France and 30% in Italy). Once completed, it will help eliminate one million trucks from Alpine roads, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around one million tonnes of CO2 per year and significantly reduce travel times. The project is also extremely important regarding employment: the cross-border section involves more than 1,400 people at work (4,000 at peak operations) on ten construction sites for an investment of €8.6bn. The completion of civil works is scheduled for 2030, followed by commissioning in 2032.
The SaMoTer International Award is one of the initiatives held in the highest regard by the exponents in this extraordinary sector. It was established by Veronafiere in 1973 to highlight the efforts of people and companies working on expanding and consolidating an entrepreneurial system of vital importance in the economic and social panorama. These efforts take shape through significant works and technologically advanced projects.
Over time, Veronafiere has rewarded major works and construction companies who have contributed to the evolution of the entire building and construction sector.
In the past, the award was made to names of absolute prestige and works that left tangible signs of civilisation. In recent years, the award has been made to countries such as Australia, Turkey, India and Irandesi, designers including Renzo Piano, Gae Aulenti and Vittorio Gregotti, machinery builders such as Cifa, Mattei and Bitelli, and private and public sector companies such as Enel, Iri, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Finmeccanica.
