Italy ealizes its bridge over the strait of Messina

15-08-25

Italy has taken the historic decision to link the mainland with Sicily through a monumental structure: the longest suspension bridge ever built. The project was approved in early August 2025 by the Italian government, marking a decisive step after decades of planning and unfulfilled expectations.

The bridge, with a total length exceeding 3,300 meters —with some estimates reaching 3.6 km— will surpass the record held by Turkey’s iconic Dardanelles Bridge, currently the longest in the world. It will be supported by two imposing steel towers, each nearly 400 meters high, located on either shore —Calabria and Sicily— and connected by robust suspension cables capable of withstanding strong winds and earthquakes.

The platform will be approximately 60 meters wide and will include six vehicle lanes (three in each direction), two central railway tracks, and service lanes. The design will accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour and nearly 200 trains daily.

The consortium in charge of the project, Eurolink —led by Webuild and also comprising the Spanish group Sacyr (22.4%) along with other international companies— has already signed contracts worth an initial €10.6 billion. The total investment is expected to reach €13.5 or €13.532 billion, considering the complementary infrastructure surrounding the main structure.

This project is not only an unprecedented engineering feat but is also envisioned as an economic transformation driver for southern Italy. It is estimated to create between 100,000 and 120,000 direct and indirect jobs per year during its construction, providing a significant boost to Sicily and Calabria, two of the country’s most disadvantaged regions.

Furthermore, the Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has decided to classify part of the expenditure as a military investment, thus contributing to the Atlantic bloc’s goal for each member country to allocate 5% of its GDP to defense.

However, official enthusiasm faces criticism from multiple fronts. European and local environmental organizations have raised concerns over potential damage to the strait’s ecosystem, water resource management —particularly in drought-affected regions— and transparency in contract awards. These concerns are compounded by the history of corruption linked to major infrastructure projects in southern Italy.

The controversy grew so intense that one of the project’s architects resigned from the Messina Order of Architects, arguing that the institution should “protest against decontextualized projects harmful to the environment” rather than support them without debate.

Several key steps remain pending: final approval from the Court of Auditors, additional environmental assessments, and land expropriations, as well as the risk of legal challenges and political disputes.

If the projected timeline is met, work —including expropriations— could begin between September and October 2025, with completion expected between 2032 and 2033.

Beyond its logistical function, this bridge symbolizes a renewed Italy, determined to achieve historic ambitions dating back to the Roman era. Its technical feasibility, economic scale, and the social tensions it stirs make it one of the most controversial and eagerly awaited infrastructure projects in today’s European landscape.

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