Italy Wants to Build the World’s Longest Suspension Bridge But…
The idea of a bridge connecting mainland Italy to Sicily across the Straits of Messina goes back to Roman times. But despite various proposals, including one for a tunnel, the project has not been realized.
However, there is a new impetus to make it happen, thanks to a decree passed last month by the Giorgia Meloni government. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has made it his priority and said that building the bridge will cost less than not doing so.
The construction project was first awarded to a consortium led by Salini Impregilo, now called WeBuild, in 2006, but the plans were scrapped when the government changed. WeBuild is the most likely company to be given the job back, though other companies have also expressed interest.
The cost of the bridge is estimated to be €4.5bn ($4.96bn), with €6.75bn ($7.4bn) needed for the infrastructure to support it. This will include upgrading road and rail links, building terminals, and preparing the land and seabed to reduce hydrogeological risks during construction.
WeBuild’s engineering director, Michele Longo, told parliament that the executive design will take eight months, while the time needed to build the bridge will be just over six years.
The project’s challenges are complex. Southern Italy is prone to corruption, with the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta and the Sicilian Cosa Nostra being particularly adept at infiltrating construction projects.
There is a risk that parts of the project, such as transport and supply, could fall under criminal control. Local mobs could also demand protection money.
However, Salvini has said that he is not afraid of criminal infiltration and is working to ensure that the best Italian, European, and global companies work on the project. There will be supervisory bodies for every euro invested in the bridge.
The Strait of Messina is along a fault line, and there are geophysical problems that may be challenging to overcome. The 1908 earthquake along the fault line killed over 100,000 people, and there were tsunamis that devastated the coastal areas on both the Calabrian and Sicilian sides of the water.
The waters are turbulent, with currents so strong that they often rip seaweed off the seabed, and they change every six hours.
Under WeBuild’s plan, the bridge deck would be built to withstand winds of up to 300 km/h and could stay open to traffic with winds up to 150 km/h. There would be three vehicle lanes in each direction – two for traffic and one for emergency – with train lines in the middle. Under the current plan, 6,000 cars and trucks could pass each hour, and 200 trains could pass each day.
Mob Bosses and Their Opposition
Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro was recently arrested after 30 years on the run in Sicily. He was against the building of the bridge, as are some other mob bosses, according to informants who contributed to Denaro’s arrest.
They said the organized crime syndicates feed off poverty and underdevelopment. Despite this, Salvini has played down concerns and said that he is not afraid of criminal infiltration. However, the risk of the project falling under criminal control remains a challenge.
In conclusion, the idea of a bridge linking mainland Italy and Sicily has been around for a long time, but it has yet to be realized. The current government is making it a priority, and the cost of the bridge and the infrastructure needed to support it has been estimated at €11.25bn ($12.36bn).
The WeBuild consortium was originally awarded the project in 2006, but the plans were scrapped when the government changed. WeBuild is likely to be given
