Italy has approved a $15.5 billion suspension bridge connecting the mainland to Sicily.
Italy has finally approved a long-standing plan to connect the mainland to Sicily with a project worth 13.5 billion euros ($15.5 billion) and build the world’s longest suspension bridge.
After a major government committee opened roads on Wednesday, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini praised the Messina Bridge Strait as “the largest infrastructure project in the West.” He said the project creates 120,000 jobs each year and will revitalize southern Italy through wide investment in infrastructure.
Preliminary work could begin in October with green light held from the Italian audit court, as construction is expected to begin in 2026. Salvini estimated that the bridge could be completed by 2033.
Over a span of 3.3km, the bridge surpasses the turkey Canacquare Bridge, carrying six lanes of traffic and two rail lines, cutting the current 100-minute ferry intersection to just 10 minutes by car.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the bridge would become “an engineering symbol of global importance.”
First proposed in 1969, the project has repeatedly stagnated due to environmental disputes, mafia fears and earthquake risks. The design is inspired by Turkiye’s Canakkale construction and features a wing-shaped deck to improve wind stability.
Defense or development?
Rome says the bridge can be categorized as a controversial designation by classifying NATO defence spending targets as “dual use” infrastructure.
Over 600 academics warned that such a move requires further military safety assessments and that the bridge could become a potential target.
Salvini said it would be up to the Ministry of Defense and Economics to decide, but argued that “protecting organized crime from the project is a top priority.”
Meanwhile, environmental groups have filed complaints with the European Union, warning of potential disruptions against migratory birds and lack of evidence that the project meets public interest thresholds.
The bridge agreement was awarded to WebUild, the same company that won its first bid in 2006 before plans were cancelled. The company says its design withstands earthquakes and refers to similar bridges in Japan and California.
“The bridges are transformative for the nation,” said Pietro Salini, CEO of WebUild.
