The Conversion Project

The conversion of the former Voghera–Varzi railway into a walking and cycling path took place over a decade, culminating in the completion of the final hilly stretch — Salice Terme–Varzi — in 2021. In addition to restoring the old railway bed, the project also included infrastructure improvements for the entire area, the most significant of which was the creation of a new water supply system.

Alongside the final Greenway section, Pavia Acque launched the construction of a new aqueduct stretching over 18 km, connecting water-rich lowland areas with the upper Staffora Valley. This area suffers from water shortages, especially in summer, due to an outdated and vulnerable water supply system.

Until the works were completed, local water supply relied on a few hillside springs and old shallow wells, vulnerable to climate changes and contamination. The new water system was designed to ensure reliable, long-term access to potable water for all valley municipalities.

The new pipeline also includes new wells in the hills, connected to storage tanks positioned along the route to distribute water to mid and upper valley areas. The project also linked the new aqueduct with existing distribution networks.

In parallel, a fiber optic cable was laid along the same route — a major opportunity for digital development in even the smallest municipalities.