Italy Moves Ahead With Historic Bridge Project
Italy has officially approved the longest suspension bridge Italy has ever attempted. The €13.5bn structure will connect Sicily with Calabria, ending decades of delay.
The bridge will stretch 3.3km across the Messina Strait, supported by two massive 400-metre towers. It will carry both cars and trains, three traffic lanes on each side and two railway tracks in the middle.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the bridge an “investment in Italy’s present and future.” The project aims to improve connectivity and stimulate development in two of Europe’s poorest regions.
Concerns Over Cost, Environment, and Safety
Though approved, the longest suspension bridge Italy plans to build has sparked strong local resistance. Critics question its cost, environmental impact, and vulnerability to corruption.
Calabrian and Sicilian mafia ties to infrastructure projects remain a major concern. Others worry it will divert funds from local schools, roads, and healthcare.
Opposition leaders, including Senator Nicola Irto, called it “divisive.” Grassroots activists fear water overuse in regions already hit by droughts.
Timeline, Jobs, and Next Steps
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini celebrated the approval, projecting job creation of 120,000 annually during construction. He targets completion between 2032 and 2033.
The final green light now depends on Italy’s Court of Auditors and environmental agencies, both national and EU-level. Legal challenges from local property owners could still delay progress.
Despite past failed attempts, Rome believes this time will be different.
