Italy has granted final approval for a landmark €13.5bn ($15.6bn) project to build the world’s longest suspension bridge, which will span the Messina Strait and connect Sicily with the Calabria region at the southern tip of the Italian mainland. The bridge is touted to stretch across 3.3 km (2.05 miles), with towering 400-meter-high structures and modern rail and road infrastructure, forming a crucial link for the region’s economic growth.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the ambitious project as an “investment in Italy’s present and future,” despite acknowledging the project’s difficulty. “We enjoy difficult challenges when they make sense,” Meloni asserted.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, celebrating the milestone, projected the completion of the bridge between 2032 and 2033. He emphasized its potential to create 120,000 jobs annually, boosting economic growth in the impoverished regions of Sicily and Calabria, which rank among the poorest in Europe.
However, this project faces numerous hurdles. The bridge must still be approved by Italy’s Court of Auditors and environmental agencies, both at national and European Union levels. It also faces opposition from local residents who fear the expropriation of properties and the environmental costs of its construction, including concerns over water usage during drought-prone periods.
Moreover, since the project was first proposed over 50 years ago, various plans have failed due to environmental, financial, and safety concerns. There has also been significant political opposition, including fears that organised crime syndicates, particularly the Mafia, could divert taxpayer funds meant for the bridge’s construction.
Local critics, such as Senator Nicola Irto of the Democratic Party, argue that the bridge is “controversial and divisive” and could siphon critical resources away from vital public services like healthcare and education. The mayor of Villa San Giovanni, where the bridge would connect the mainland, also voiced concerns, stressing that more time was needed for local consultations.
Despite the obstacles, Meloni and Salvini remain optimistic, with the project viewed as a strategic infrastructure asset not just for Italy but for NATO. The bridge is expected to be classified as a military expenditure, which could contribute to Italy’s defence spending goals within the alliance.
As debates continue, the fate of the Messina Bridge remains uncertain, with strong arguments both for and against its construction. The bridge’s future, though, could redefine the region’s landscape, economically and politically, for decades to come.