ROME — The Italian government has officially approved the construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge, reviving a monumental and long-debated project to connect Sicily with the Italian mainland. The engineering marvel, set to become the world's longest suspension bridge upon completion, carries a price tag of €13.5 billion ($15.5 billion) and represents a cornerstone of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's infrastructure agenda.
An idea imagined since the time of the Roman empire, the bridge will span the 3.7-kilometer (2.3-mile) Strait of Messina, linking the city of Messina in Sicily with Calabria on the mainland. The design features a single suspended span of 3.3 kilometers, which will surpass the current record holder, Turkey's Canakkale Bridge. It will be equipped with six lanes for vehicle traffic and two railway tracks, designed to accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour and 200 trains daily.
The project, which was shelved in 2013 amid a government austerity drive, has been forcefully resuscitated by the Meloni administration. The Italian construction company Webuild is slated to execute the project, which will be overseen by the state-owned Messina Strait company. Following final approvals from Italy's economic planning committee, preliminary activities such as geological and archaeological surveys are expected to begin later this summer. Full-scale construction is planned to start in 2026, with a targeted completion date between 2032 and 2033.
Proponents argue the bridge is a vital investment for Italy's south, a region that has historically lagged economically. The government projects the construction will create approximately 120,000 jobs annually and serve as a powerful engine for local development.
In a novel strategic move, the government has also begun framing the bridge as a critical piece of defense infrastructure. By proposing its inclusion in NATO's Military Mobility Action Plan, Italy hopes to highlight its value for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment, a classification that could potentially unlock additional funding from the European Union and help justify the expenditure given Italy's high national debt.
However, the ambitious project is not without significant criticism and challenges. Environmental groups have voiced strong opposition, filing complaints with the EU over the potential impact on critical migratory bird routes and sensitive marine habitats. The proposed route intersects three protected Natura 2000 areas, requiring stringent environmental assessments.
Concerns also persist over the enormous cost and the region's high seismic activity. The Strait of Messina is a known earthquake zone, infamous for a devastating tremor in 1908. Project planners insist the bridge is designed to withstand a major seismic event, with its foundational points strategically placed to avoid active fault lines.
Furthermore, the risk of infiltration by organized crime remains a serious concern in a region where the mafia has historically siphoned funds from public works contracts. In response, the government has assured that strict anti-mafia protocols will be enforced throughout the project's lifecycle.
Despite the financial, environmental, and security hurdles, the Italian government appears determined to turn the centuries-old dream into a concrete reality, forging ahead with a project that promises to transform the landscape of Italy and its strategic position in Europe.