(ANSA) - TRIESTE, NOV 9 - ""The handover of the Gorizia Railway Junction project marks an important step in the process of upgrading Friuli-Venezia Giulia's railway infrastructure—a strategic initiative that will improve cross-border connections, make rail traffic between Italy and Slovenia more efficient, and strengthen Gorizia's role as a hub connecting the two countries". This was stated by Cristina Amirante, Regional Councilor for Infrastructure and Territorial Planning, regarding today's handover of the new railway infrastructure project, which is being overseen by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (FS Group). The Lunetta will allow the line coming from Trieste to connect directly with the line heading to Nova Gorica, eliminating the need for trains to reverse direction at Gorizia Centrale Station. The project involves the construction of a new single-track rail spur, the upgrading of sections of the existing line, the electrification of the new infrastructure, and the modernization of technological systems, in addition to work to connect to the SDAG logistics area. The work will be organized into two major phases to minimize disruption to rail operations. The first phase will include the main civil engineering works and the construction of the Lunetta, leading up to the activation of the direct Trieste-Nova Gorica connection. The second phase will allow for the completion of the new configuration of the Gorizia-Nova Gorica line and the works related to the SDAG connection. "The value of this project," says Amirante, "goes beyond the construction of a new railway line. It means making the international transportation network more accessible and creating more favorable infrastructure conditions for the development of logistics and freight transport, while maximizing the potential of the SDAG area." "The Region," the councilor concludes, "considers strengthening rail connections with Slovenia a priority of its infrastructure policy." (ANSA).