Olympic-Scale Transport Test Looms in Northern Italy
With less than two years until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, organizers are accelerating infrastructure upgrades to connect venues spanning 400+ kilometers across three regions – the most geographically dispersed Games in history. The unprecedented layout sees Milan hosting ice sports while mountain venues in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Bormio and Livigno stage snow events.
Rail Network Expansion Underway
Trenord rail operator plans 120 additional daily trips during the Games, with Milan Central Station serving as the main hub. "Our goal is sustainable mobility for 15 million expected passengers," said Marketing Manager Paolo Bellingreri. New direct routes will connect Milan to Tirano in 2.5 hours, with bus transfers to Alpine venues.
Spectator Flow Management Critical
Six Olympic villages aim to reduce athlete travel, but moving spectators through narrow mountain passes remains a key concern. Cortina transport manager Benedetto Gaffarini confirmed separate systems for residents and visitors: "We're implementing real-time crowd monitoring and dynamic routing to prevent bottlenecks."
Sustainability Legacy in Focus
Organizers emphasize 85% of venues use existing or temporary facilities, with new rail investments designed to benefit regional tourism long after the Games. However, environmental groups continue monitoring snowmaking plans amid warming winter temperatures.
