Today's Edition
MESSINA/ROME (REUTERS)
Italy's government gave final approval on Wednesday to the construction of what will be the world's longest single-span bridge, linking Sicily to the mainland, despite environmental, financial and other concerns that have delayed it for decades.
The 3.7-kilometre (2.3-mile) structure, set to break the record currently held by Turkiye's Canakkale Bridge across the Dardanelles, has been under discussion since at least the late 1960s as a tool to develop Italy's southern region.
The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made it a priority and has set aside 13.5 billion euros ($15.63 billion) over the next 10 years to build it and surrounding facilities.
The Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS) gave its green light to the project during a meeting in Rome, paving the way for the start of construction work.
"It is not an easy task but we consider it an investment in Italy's present and future, and we like difficult challenges when they make sense", Meloni said at the meeting, her office said.
The bridge to Sicily, which has a population of 4.7 million, should be ready in 2032, the Messina Strait Company said.
The bridge has strong support from those who believe a fast rail and road connection will provide a much-needed boost to Sicily and the rest of Italy's southern regions.
The Strait of Messina Bridge Project was awarded to the Eurolink consortium following an international tender. Italy's largest construction company, Webuild , leads the consortium, which includes Spanish group Sacyr and Japan's IHI.
