On Saturday, thousands of people demonstrated in the Sicilian city of Messina against a government proposal to construct a bridge that would link Sicily and the Italian mainland as part of a large infrastructure project worth 13.5 billion euros ($15.5 billion).
The Strait of Messina Bridge project is vehemently opposed by protesters due to its size, potential for earthquakes, potential effects on the ecology, and the possibility of mafia meddling.
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Because of these worries, the concept of constructing a bridge to link Sicily with the rest of Italy has been discussed intermittently for decades but has always been put off. However, this week’s approval of the plan by a government body that oversees key public investments marked a significant advancement for the project.
The project’s principal political supporter, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, referred to it as the largest infrastructure undertaking in the Western world.
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As billions more are spent on surrounding road and infrastructure improvements, Salvini highlighted estimates that estimate the project would generate up to 120,000 jobs annually and aid in boosting economic growth in southern Italy, which is now experiencing economic lag.
These arguments do not persuade opponents. Additionally, they are upset that the construction of the bridge will require the expropriation of roughly 500 families.
As they marched through Messina, demonstrators yelled, “The Strait of Messina can’t be touched.” Banners reading “No Ponte” (No Bridge) were carried by many. The organizers predicted about 10,000 individuals would attend.
With a 3.3-kilometer (more than 2-mile) suspended segment, the planned bridge would span almost 3.7 kilometers (2.2 miles). It would become the longest suspension bridge in the world, surpassing the Canakkale Bridge in Turkey by 1,277 meters (4,189 feet).
If approved by Italy’s Court of Audit, preliminary work might start as early as late September or early October. Complete construction is expected to start in 2026 and be finished in 2032 or 2033.
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Since the Italian government initially called for bids for a bridge in 1969, plans for one have been approved and then canceled several times. In 2023, the project was restarted by the administration of Premier Giorgia Meloni.
The bridge would be able to handle 200 trains per day and 6,000 cars per hour with three car lanes in each direction, which would cut the time it takes to drive across the strait from up to 100 minutes via ferry. According to Salvini, trains would reduce transit time by two to twelve hours.
Given that the government has stated that it would consider the bridge to be defense-related, the project may also help Italy meet its NATO aim of increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP.
Italy claims that the bridge qualifies as security-enhancing infrastructure because it would create a critical corridor for quick army deployments and equipment deployment.
However, environmental organizations have complained to the EU over the project, claiming that it will affect migratory birds.
Additionally, the president of Italy has asked that the project continue to be governed by anti-mafia laws that are applicable to all major infrastructure projects. Salvini promised that preventing organized criminals from participating in the project was of utmost importance.
