Work Begins on Florence’s T4.1 Tram Line Linking Leopolda and Le Piagge

Construction has officially started on the long-awaited T4.1 tram line connecting Florence’s Leopolda area with Le Piagge. The project aims to improve public transport in the city’s north-west, reduce travel times and support wider urban regeneration.

The first preparatory works for Florence’s new T4.1 tram line officially got under way on Monday, marking the start of a project that city officials say will transform mobility in the north-western part of the city. The ceremony attracted a large crowd of residents, reflecting long-standing demand for better public transport connections in District 5.

Florence Mayor Sara Funaro, Tuscany President Eugenio Giani and Councillor for Mobility Andrea Giorgio attended the launch alongside District 5 President Filippo Ferraro, members of the city administration and local councillors.

The 6.4-kilometre line will connect the Leopolda railway area and Porta al Prato with Le Piagge in about 21 minutes. It will include 13 stops serving key destinations such as the Cascine park, Manifattura Tabacchi, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino opera house and the Casa della Salute health centre in Le Piagge. During peak hours, trams are expected to run every six minutes and 25 seconds.

According to the municipality, the project is scheduled to take 802 days to complete. The overall investment amounts to just over €202 million, funded through a combination of municipal, regional, national and railway infrastructure resources.

Preparatory works begin

The activities launched this week are part of the project’s preliminary “Phase 0”, which focuses on preparing construction sites and logistics areas before work on the tram infrastructure itself begins.

Five areas will be set up for construction compounds, offices and material storage, including sites in Via Piemonte, the Pesciolino green area and Via Lombardia. The phase also includes temporary works and the relocation of underground utilities where necessary. City officials said these early activities are being carried out while the executive design is finalised in order to shorten the overall construction schedule. They added that the preliminary works are already included in the project’s budget and do not involve additional costs.

Connecting Le Piagge to the city

Mayor Funaro described the start of construction as an important milestone for residents who have long called for better transport links. She said the new line would provide a fast and reliable connection between the city centre and one of Florence’s most densely populated outer neighbourhoods while also supporting wider urban regeneration.

She acknowledged that construction work would inevitably cause some disruption but said the municipality would closely monitor progress and keep residents informed about any traffic changes. She also noted that the impact on road traffic is expected to be less significant than that experienced during construction of the Bagno a Ripoli tram extension because much of the route follows the former railway corridor.

Giorgio said the project represents more than a transport investment, describing it as an opportunity to reshape public spaces and reconnect Le Piagge with the rest of Florence. Alongside the tram infrastructure, the project includes improvements to roads, public spaces and pedestrian connections, as well as park-and-ride facilities and upgrades to existing underpasses.

Part of a wider metropolitan network

Regional President Giani said the T4.1 line is another step towards creating a metropolitan tram network extending beyond Florence itself.

He said the system, which already serves Scandicci and is being extended towards Bagno a Ripoli, is also planned to reach Sesto Fiorentino and Campi Bisenzio. Giani added that he remains confident funding will be secured for the future extension from Le Piagge to Campi Bisenzio.

The regional government has committed €30 million for associated road infrastructure and plans to allocate a further €12 million for a new park-and-ride facility.

Expected impact

The municipality estimates that the line will carry around 8.1 million passengers each year, with approximately 28,900 daily users on an average weekday.

Officials also estimate that shifting passengers from private cars to the tram could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 5,100 tonnes annually while contributing to lower levels of particulate pollution across the city.

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