A25: Toto Costruzioni Generali Completes Demolition of the Westbound Carriageway (Toward Rome) of the Valle dei Fiori Viaduct in Pratola Peligna
The project is an integral part of the structural retrofitting and seismic safety improvements for the viaducts on the A24 and A25 highways commissioned by Special Commissioner Marco Corsini
Pratola Peligna (L’Aquila), November 4, 2026 – Toto Costruzioni Generali has begun structural retrofitting work to ensure seismic safety for five pairs of viaducts on the A25 highway: shortly before dawn, the controlled demolition—using micro-explosive charges—of the westbound carriageway (toward Rome) of the Valle dei Fiori viaduct in the municipality of Pratola Peligna was completed in a matter of seconds.
The operation was the result of careful planning and extensive preparation, which, within a few hours, allowed for the safe reopening of the highway section in both directions for travelers and workers.
The operation is part of the plan for structural retrofitting and seismic safety upgrades of the viaducts on the A24 and A25 highways, entrusted to the Special Commissioner for the Retrofit and Seismic Safety of the A24 and A25 Highways; The work involves the complete demolition of the existing deck structures and their subsequent reconstruction using new steel-concrete composite structures, following the reinforcement and restoration of the existing piers.
Demolitions are carried out using two different techniques: mechanical demolition and controlled demolition with explosives. As for the Valle dei Fiori viaduct, the deck sections are being demolished through controlled demolition with explosives, while the existing piers are being preserved, reinforced, and upgraded to meet structural and seismic standards. The project also calls for the recovery and reuse of materials resulting from the demolition work.
The work involves five pairs of viaducts on the A25 highway, totaling 2.9 kilometers, along the section that crosses the Peligna Valley and the Marsica region, between the Avezzano and Bussi/Popoli exits in the municipalities of Celano, Pratola Peligna, Roccacasale, and Corfinio (Foce Viaduct, Celano – Acquaviva Viaduct, Pratola Peligna – Capo Croce Viaduct, Pratola Peligna – Valle dei Fiori Viaduct, Pratola Peligna – Castellucci Viaduct, Roccacasale/Corfinio).
The particular importance of these projects stems from the central role of the “Strada dei Parchi,” which—spanning a total length of 281.4 kilometers along the A24 and A25 highways—connects Rome to L’Aquila, Teramo, Chieti, Pescara, the major urban centers of Abruzzo, and three national parks, three regional nature parks, and numerous other protected areas. This vital artery, which traverses the valleys and mountain ranges that characterize the Abruzzo Apennines via 175 viaducts and 55 tunnels, connects the peninsula’s two coastal corridors—so much so that it is classified by law as “strategic infrastructure for civil protection purposes”.
The viaducts’ structure—sleeker, more dynamic, and more resilient—is constructed using high-quality materials such as Corten steel, chosen for its durability, elasticity, weather resistance, and low visual impact. The continuous deck design ensures greater safety and stability, especially during seismic events, drastically reducing the risk of damage. The deck support structures are equipped with seismic isolators, and the appropriately sized expansion joints allow the viaduct’s movements to be absorbed, ensuring its long-term durability.
Throughout the duration of the work, the continuity of highway traffic is ensured by diverting traffic to the opposite lane. This approach has been a key element of all seismic retrofitting projects on the A24 and A25 highways to ensure the continuity of the connection between Rome and the Adriatic coast.
«The controlled demolition of the Valle dei Fiori Viaduct using micro-charges is an experience that reaffirms a very clear conviction: infrastructure is not merely a physical structure. They are complex systems in which design, technology, organizational skills, environmental responsibility, safety, and knowledge of the local areas all converge. For this reason, the quality of a project depends—even more than on the resources available—on the quality of the people who conceive, design, and build it. – in the words of Alfonso Toto, Chief Strategy Officer of Toto Costruzioni Generali – This project is the result of the excellent collaboration between Toto Costruzioni Generali and the Commission led by attorney Marco Corsini, as well as the patient and meticulous work of the technicians and workers. It is both a testament to the Toto Group’s commitment to the Abruzzo region and the first concrete step toward providing citizens with a safer and more resilient infrastructure».
