After decades of planning and debate, an Italian ministerial committee has approved the state-funded project to build a suspension bridge across the Strait of Messina, deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport Matteo Salvini announced today. "This will be the longest single-span bridge in the world, acting as a driving force for the less developed areas at both ends, namely Sicily and Calabria in the south," Salvini said.
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A view of Sicily, Italy, on 30/7. Photo: AFP |
A view of Sicily, Italy, on 30/7. Photo: AFP
The bridge will feature two railway lines in the center and three lanes of traffic on each side. The 3.3 km span, stretching between two 400-meter-high towers, is expected to be completed by 2032.
The Italian government stated the bridge will be a state-of-the-art engineering feat, designed to withstand strong winds and earthquakes, as it will be built in an area located on two tectonic plates. Ministers hope it will bring economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs.
However, the project has also sparked controversy and local protests due to its cost and environmental impact concerns. Opponents argue the funds could be better used elsewhere. They also express skepticism about the project's completion, citing numerous publicly announced and funded projects in Italy that have never been finished.
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Location of Sicily and mainland Italy. Graphic: Britannica |
Location of Sicily and mainland Italy. Graphic: Britannica
Plans to connect Sicily to mainland Italy by bridge have existed for over 50 years but have never materialized. In 2006, the Eurolink consortium won the contract but later canceled construction plans due to the Eurozone debt crisis. In this iteration, the Italian government has categorized the bridge's construction costs under defense spending.
Italy, currently heavily indebted, agreed with other NATO allies to significantly increase defense spending to 2% of GDP, as requested by former US President Donald Trump. Of this, 1.5% can be allocated to "defense-related" areas such as cybersecurity and infrastructure.
Rome hopes the Messina bridge will qualify for such spending, especially since Sicily hosts a NATO base.
Huyen Le (AFP)
