Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Italy Clears Way for Preliminary Work on World’s Longest Suspension Bridge

Preliminary surveys along the Strait of Messina will start after Italy’s audit court gives final sign-off on the €13.5 billion project.

Overview

  • CIPESS approval authorises archaeological and geological surveys along the strait and enables land expropriations ahead of main construction slated for late 2025.
  • The Eurolink consortium led by Webuild will erect a 3.3 km single-span suspension bridge featuring two 400 m towers, six traffic lanes and two railway lines.
  • Rome plans to classify the bridge as defence infrastructure so its cost counts toward NATO’s 5 percent GDP military spending target under the 1.5 percent strategic infrastructure allowance.
  • Officials say the €13.5 billion scheme could create over 100,000 jobs and accelerate economic growth in Sicily and Calabria.
  • Environmental groups have filed EU complaints over seismic and habitat risks, and the project will follow anti-mafia protocols used at Expo 2015 and the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.