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In the heart of Italy, a long-awaited infrastructure project is set to transform the landscape and connect Sicily to the mainland like never before. Known as the Strait of Messina Bridge, or the Berlusconi Bridge, this ambitious venture will be the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world.
The bridge, which will stretch approximately 3.6 kilometers, will feature six road lanes and two railway tracks. Its towering towers will nearly reach 400 meters high, making it an engineering marvel. Located between Torre Faro in Sicily and Villa San Giovanni on the mainland, the bridge will significantly improve national connectivity, stimulate the economy, create jobs, boost tourism, and revitalize the southern regions of Italy.
A History of Political Pauses and Resurrections
The Strait of Messina Bridge project has a rich, tumultuous history, marked by multiple starts, stops, and changes in political leadership. First proposed in the 1990s, the project was cancelled in 2006 under Prime Minister Romano Prodi. It was re-announced in 2009 by Silvio Berlusconi’s government with partial funding but was cancelled again in 2013 under Mario Monti due to budget cuts. In 2023, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, the project was revived with official presidential approval. Final government approval was secured on August 6, 2025, with an estimated cost of €13.5 billion entirely financed by public funds.
Political Endorsements and Credits
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, has been a prominent endorser of the bridge. He highlighted its potential benefits, crediting former supporters like Silvio Berlusconi for their role in earlier efforts. Giorgia Meloni called the bridge a "cutting-edge project" crucial for Italy’s development and competitiveness.
Construction and Completion Timeline
Construction on the Strait of Messina Bridge is expected to begin soon after the recent approval and complete by 2032–2033. While the bridge could replace many ferry services, ferries will likely continue operating for tourism purposes.
Controversies and Challenges
Despite its promising future, the project has faced longstanding controversy involving environmental concerns, seismic risks, and the potential involvement of mafia groups in construction contracts, contributing to its previous cancellations.
In summary, the Strait of Messina Bridge represents one of Italy’s most ambitious infrastructure efforts in decades with substantial political backing and clear timelines as of mid-2025. This project, if successfully completed, will not only be a testament to Italian engineering prowess but also a significant step towards modernizing Italy's infrastructure and boosting its economic growth.
Location: Italy, specifically Messina and Sicily Project Type: Suspension Bridge Construction Involved Parties: Matteo Salvini, Silvio Berlusconi, Giorgia Meloni Topic: Bridge Project in Italy Journalist: Luisa Brandl
- The Strait of Messina Bridge, a cutting-edge project crucial for Italy's development and competitiveness, has a complex history influenced by policy-and-legislation and politics, with multiple starts, stops, and changes in political leadership.
- As the project moves forward under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, with an estimated cost of €13.5 billion funded by public funds, general-news outlets such as Luisa Brandl's reporting continue to follow the ongoing construction and potential controversies associated with the project.
