Italy’s main high-speed rail corridor between Milan (Milano Centrale) and Bologna Centrale is closed for scheduled infrastructure works from today, 10 August, through to 17 August 2026. The closure affects the section between Piacenza Est and Melegnano, forcing Frecciarossa and Frecciargento services to divert via the conventional line.
Affected passengers should expect journey times between Milan and Bologna to increase by approximately 45 minutes compared to the normal 65-minute high-speed journey.
Which Services Are Affected
All direct Frecciarossa services between Milan Centrale and Bologna Centrale are diverted during the works window. This includes:
- Frecciarossa services continuing south toward Florence, Rome, and Naples
- Frecciargento services on the same corridor
- Some Italo services on the Milan–Bologna segment (check your specific booking)
Regional trains between Piacenza and Milan are largely unaffected as they use a separate conventional corridor.
Timings and Ticket Holders
Trenitalia is automatically rerouting ticket holders on affected services at no extra cost. Passengers holding existing bookings should:
- Check the Trenitalia app or website for revised departure times on their specific train number
- Note that some services have been rescheduled to earlier or later departure slots to manage capacity on the diverted route
- Allow extra connection time at Bologna Centrale if catching onward services to Florence or Rome
If your travel plans are flexible, the works window is concentrated in the Ferragosto public holiday period (Italy’s peak internal travel week, centred on 15 August). Trains in both directions will be busier than usual even on the diverted route, so booking a reserved seat is strongly advised.
Why This Period
Italian rail infrastructure manager RFI schedules major track renewal works during Ferragosto when domestic travel shifts toward coastal resorts and long-distance rail demand on the Milan–Bologna–Rome corridor is slightly lower than non-holiday peaks. The works cover track replacement and signalling upgrades on the Piacenza Est–Melegnano section, which opened in 1996 and is due for renewal.
Planning Around the Disruption
If you are travelling between Milan and Bologna during 10–17 August:
- Allow at least 2 hours total for the journey instead of the usual 65–70 minutes
- Book in advance: trains will fill quickly given the combination of holiday period and reduced capacity
- Check Italo: Italo NTV services on the same corridor may have different timing impacts — compare both operators before booking
Our Bologna guide covers the city’s main sights and connections to Florence and the Po Delta. For full guidance on navigating Italian rail including how to read Trenitalia timetables and manage disruptions, see our train travel in Italy page. If you are based in Milan and want to avoid the disruption entirely, Bergamo and Brescia are reachable without going via the affected corridor.
Key Information
- Closure section: Piacenza Est to Melegnano (on the Milan–Bologna HS line)
- Dates: 10 August – 17 August 2026
- Additional journey time: approximately 45 minutes each way
- Check your booking: Trenitalia app, trenitalia.com, or the Italo app for your specific service