Characterization study and monitoring of instabilities

As part of the construction of the doubling of the Messina-Catania railway line, 1st functional lot Fiumefreddo-Taormina, two large stone blocks of cyclopean dimensions (~2,000 m³) were identified. These blocks were in unstable conditions and posed a threat to the underlying municipal road connecting to Taormina, as well as to the construction site of the “Uscita Mare” portal of the new Taormina station.
To secure the area, a study phase was conducted involving in-depth investigations into the structural and geomechanical configuration of the rock mass, along with the implementation of a multi-sensor instrumental monitoring plan. Temporary protective measures for the slope were also put in place. The monitoring lasted one year, after which preparatory interventions were carried out for the explosive demolition of the blocks, which took place in May 2025.