After decades of discussions, it is now a done deal: on Wednesday, the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning (CIPESS) approved the final draft for the construction of the bridge across the Strait of Messina. This clears the way for one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Europe, which will connect Sicily with the Italian mainland.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini spoke of a "historic result" and a "development accelerator". Approval was granted on the basis of extensive technical, financial and environmental documentation. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, the total cost of the project of around 13.5 billion euros has already been fully covered.
The schedule for the mammoth project, which is set to become the longest suspension bridge in the world, is tight. Construction work is set to begin as early as the end of 2025 with preparatory measures such as setting up construction sites and clearing old war waste. The actual construction work will then start in May 2026 with the road and rail connections on both sides. Construction of the bridge pylons and the suspension structure is scheduled to begin in March 2027.
The entire structure is scheduled for completion in 2032. In addition to the bridge itself, the project also includes new transport links and three new railroad stations to seamlessly connect the regions of Calabria and Sicily.
