Overview

• The European Commission asked Italy for clarifications on the bridge’s environmental procedures, focusing on habitats, compensatory measures, and water, air and noise impacts.
• The request was conveyed in a new letter to Italian authorities, with the Commission saying added information would help it address formal complaints it has received.
• Angelo Bonelli said a separate earlier EU letter questioned alleged public procurement violations linked to the project.
• Stretto di Messina CEO Pietro Ciucci and Italy’s Transport Ministry described the exchange as routine institutional dialogue and pledged to provide all necessary responses.
• Italy’s environmental impact commission previously issued a favorable opinion with prescriptions, and an EU spokesperson said the project, notified to Brussels in June, remains under contact with the requirement to comply with EU law.