As Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo prepare to host the 2026 Winter Olympics starting 6 February, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) completed a €38.9 million overhaul of five key stations in Valtellina, ensuring seamless, accessible, and sustainable transport for athletes, spectators, and locals. In total, 10 stations have been modernised ahead of the games.
The Olympics, running from February 6 to 22, 2026, will draw millions of visitors across Lombardy, Trentino, and Veneto. To meet demand, FS Group, as the event’s ‘Premium Mobility Partner’, has renovated a total of ten stations, with Trenitalia preparing to handle over 100,000 passengers daily. Busitalia will supplement rail services with 500 daily buses, while high-speed Frecciarossa trains will connect Malpensa Airport to Lombardy and Veneto’s major cities during peak Olympic weekends.
FS uses big words for the Olympic upgrades to the stations. “What we’re building is a concrete and lasting legacy,” said Giuseppe Inchingolo, Chief Corporate Affairs, Communication & Sustainability Officer of FS Group. “Thanks to the Olympics, regions and towns are strengthening their tourist appeal, Milan is consolidating its international role, and mountain areas are experiencing a new phase of development.”
Intermodal focus
A key emphasis has been placed on intermodality, ensuring that the modernised stations integrate effortlessly with buses, cycling paths, and pedestrian routes. This approach not only enhances accessibility for passengers but also supports broader mobility goals, aligning with FS Group’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan. The plan aims to strengthen Italy’s transport network while promoting sustainable and integrated mobility across the country.
The redeveloped stations are designed to blend functionality with aesthetics, preserving the historic character of buildings like those in Lecco and Tirano while introducing modern amenities. By improving passenger comfort, safety, and accessibility, these upgrades ensure that the benefits of the Olympic investments will endure for decades to come, serving both local residents and future visitors.
€38.9 million for 5 main upgrades
RFI’s targeted investments have transformed Valtellina’s key hubs, prioritising accessibility, safety, and sustainability. The main 5 stations upgrades include:
Colico (€11.3 million)
• Restyled station building with new passenger spaces.
• Modernised underpass and restrooms.
• New elevators, resurfaced sidewalks, and tactile paths for the visually impaired.
Morbegno (€2.5 million)
• Raised platforms for level boarding.
• Redesigned underpass and shelter on Platform 1.
• Pedestrian-friendly forecourt and new tactile paths.
Sondrio (€4.8 million)
• Seismic retrofitting of the station building.
• Modernised underpass and passenger spaces.
Lecco (€10 million)
• Restored historic shelters and redeveloped station building.
• New elevator on Platform 2, raised sidewalks, and extended shelters.
• Tactile paths for accessibility.
Tirano (€10.3 million)
• Renovated underpass and station building.
• New elevator, reconstructed shelters, and tactile paths.
Broader €644 million mobility plan
The 2026 Winter Olympics mark the fourth time Italy is hosting the Games, its third Winter Olympics and the first time that 2 cities co-host the Winter Olympics, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo sharing the spotlight. The €38.9 million investment in Valtellina’s stations is just one part of a broader €644 million mobility plan that includes rail upgrades, expanded bus networks, and high-speed connections. These improvements will enhance regional connectivity, making it easier for tourists and locals alike to travel between Lombardy, Trentino, and Veneto long after the Olympic flame is extinguished.
With millions of spectators expected to rely on Italy’s rail network during the Games, the upgrades to Colico, Morbegno, Sondrio, Lecco, and Tirano ensure that Valtellina’s stations are not just ready for the Olympics but built for the future.
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