The Montesanto Funicular is closing for repairs: when and for how long?
La Montesanto Funicular The line is preparing to shut down for a lengthy extraordinary maintenance project. The City of Naples has announced that the system will be closed to the public by the summer to allow for a complete overhaul of the line. This operation is part of the twenty-year maintenance plan and aims to update one of the historic connections between Vomero and the city center.
According to what was communicated by the Councillor for Public Works Edoardo Cosenza, the work will begin as soon as the procurement phase of the materials necessary for the intervention is completed.
The Montesanto Funicular is scheduled to close this summer.
The modernization of the line will require the complete suspension of service, since the planned operations cannot be carried out with the system in operation.
The company in charge is already purchasing the main technical components required for the works, including:
- engines
- Cavi
- tracks
- other mechanical and structural parts
Once the materials procurement and delivery phase is complete, actual construction work can begin. A specific completion date has not yet been announced, but the goal is to begin the project. before the end of summer 2026.
How long will the works take?
According to the timetable provided for in the tender specifications, the works could last between six and eight months, including the technical testing phase of the system.
If there are no delays or unforeseen events, the funicular could therefore:
- close in summer 2026
- reopen in early 2027
To complete the intervention, the Municipality and the transport company have an administrative deadline set for April 7, 2027.
How much will the surgery cost?
The extraordinary maintenance operation has an overall cost of 18,8 million euro.
The initial project envisaged lower funding, but costs have increased in recent years due to rising material prices and the economic consequences of the international crises following the pandemic.
The main entities involved in the project are:
- Adyton Engineering, responsible for the design
- Graffer srl and Medtec srl, who will take care of the works
The financial resources were recovered through funds from unused loans from the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
What will change with the twenty-year maintenance
The intervention includes a complete overhaul of the technical components of the funicular. In many cases, older equipment will be replaced, while other parts will be overhauled and updated.
The planned operations include:
- replacement of the winch motors, both main and reserve
- mechanical equipment overhaul
- systems update electrical and electronic
- review of safety circuits
- updating of hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- new fire risk assessment
The following will also be checked: civil structures of the stations, with any restoration work in areas showing signs of wear.
However, it will not be replaced. towing rope, since the technical checks did not highlight any structural problems that would require its replacement.
The history of the Montesanto Funicular
The funicular connects Montesanto and Vomero and it is one of the historic systems of Neapolitan public transport.
The inauguration dates back to May 30, 1891The line is approximately long 824 meters and has an average slope higher than 20%Each convoy can carry up to 300 passengers.
Thanks to its strategic location, the funicular connects the hilltop neighborhood with several city transport hubs, including:
- la Metro Line 2
- la Cumana
- la Circumflegrea
The system consists of two trains traveling in opposite directions along the line. Safety systems include automatic brakes that activate in the event of a fault, and an emergency power system that allows movement even in the event of a power failure.
After more than a century of activity, the planned revision represents one of the most important interventions in recent years to ensure safety, reliability and continuity of service in the future.