Messina Strait Bridge Design Approved in Italy

The final design for the Messina Strait Bridge, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy, has been approved with an estimated cost of $4.96 billion, set to be the world's longest suspension bridge. The project, revived by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, aims to inject €2.9 billion into the economy and is expected to commence construction by the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the Umling La pass in Ladakh, India, is recognized as the world’s highest motorable road at 19,024 feet, enhancing military mobility and local tourism. In Tamil Nadu, the New Pamban Bridge, India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge, promises improved connectivity but faces criticism over planning and execution lapses. Additionally, a Bailey Bridge is planned over the Karnali River in Nepal to link remote areas to the national road network, with construction set to begin within three months. Lastly, the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project in India features the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge globally, aimed at enhancing connectivity in the Kashmir Valley.