Italy Approves €13.5 Billion Sicily-Mainland Suspension Bridge

The Italian government has officially approved a €13.5 billion project to build the world's longest suspension bridge connecting Sicily to the mainland, spanning the Strait of Messina. The bridge will feature two railway lines and six lanes for vehicles, with a suspended span of 3.3 kilometers between two towers nearly 400 meters tall, designed to withstand seismic activity and high winds. Expected to be completed by 2032, the project is positioned as a major economic development initiative for southern Italy, promising to cut travel times drastically and create tens of thousands of jobs. The government is classifying the bridge as a defense project to count its cost towards NATO military spending commitments, highlighting its strategic importance for national and allied security, especially for rapid military mobilization in the Mediterranean. Led by the Italian construction giant Webuild and partners, the consortium aims to start work later this year, with strong government oversight to prevent mafia infiltration. Despite criticisms regarding environmental impact and costs, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini emphasize the bridge as a symbol of unity, progress, and a vital infrastructure investment for Italy's future.