Italy has given the final go-ahead for the €13.5 billion Strait of Messina Bridge, a project promising both opportunity and controversy. The bridge will connect Sicily to the mainland, stretching nearly 3.7 kilometres, with a suspended span of 3.3 kilometres, surpassing Turkey’s Çanakkale Bridge.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini hailed the decision as “an accelerator for development” in southern Italy, predicting jobs, growth, and faster connections. Preliminary work could start later this summer, with construction due next year and completion expected by 2033. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it “a strategic infrastructure for the entire country.”
The idea dates back to ancient Rome, but repeated cancellations have stalled progress for decades. This revival marks a political win for Salvini, who has championed the bridge as a hallmark of his tenure.
Supporters say the bridge will be a strategic NATO corridor, allowing rapid troop and equipment movement. Critics warn that military classification could make it a target, while over 600 academics have opposed the designation, citing the need for further safety tests.
Environmental groups have lodged complaints with the EU, raising concerns about migratory birds and questioning whether the benefits outweigh the ecological costs.
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella insisted strict anti-mafia laws apply, after concerns that special arrangements could weaken oversight. The project has been awarded to WeBuild, which stresses that suspension bridges perform well in seismic zones.
If completed, the bridge would carry 6,000 cars an hour and 200 trains a day, redefining transport across the Strait of Messina.
