Italy Approves $15.8B Sicily Mainland Bridge Amid Legal, Environmental Challenges

Italy has given final approval for the construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge, a $15.8 billion project that will connect Sicily to the mainland, creating the world's longest single-span suspension bridge. The bridge, a vision dating back to ancient Roman times, will span 3.7 kilometers and include roads and railways, facilitating up to 6,000 cars and 200 trains per day. While the project promises to generate 120,000 jobs annually and improve infrastructure, it faces strong opposition from local residents concerned about landscape preservation, environmental risks, seismic safety, and the expropriation of over 440 properties. Environmental groups have filed complaints with the European Union, and legal challenges from residents are expected to delay progress. Additionally, experts warn the project could be vulnerable to infiltration by organized crime, prompting the government to enforce strict anti-mafia measures. The government also classifies the bridge as a strategic investment to meet NATO defense spending targets, aiming for completion by 2032 or 2033.