Messina bridge: Italy has recently approved the construction of the world's largest suspension bridge, which will cross the Strait of Messina and connect the Italian mainland to the island of Sicily. The cost of this ambitious project is about 13.5 billion euros (15.5 billion dollars) and the bridge will be about 3.3 kilometers long.
Italy has recently approved the construction of the world's largest suspension bridge, which will cross the Strait of Messina and connect the Italian mainland to the island of Sicily. The ambitious project is estimated to cost around 13.5 billion euros ($15.5 billion) and the bridge will be around 3.3 kilometers long.
This bridge will reduce the distance as well as travel time considerably, with a car journey taking just 10 minutes. The project is expected to boost the development of Southern Italy.
Construction work is expected to start this year and the completion target is 2032-33.
The Italian government has approved the construction of a 3.3 kilometer long suspension bridge over the Strait of Messina, which will be the longest in the world. This bridge will connect the island of Sicily to the Italian mainland, making the connection between these two parts much easier and faster.
The bridge will reduce travel time by car between Sicily and the mainland from 100 minutes to just 10 minutes, while train travel will also save 2.5 hours.
The bridge will have three-lane roadways on each side and a double-track railway line in the middle, which will be able to handle traffic of 6,000 cars and 200 trains per hour.
This bridge will be built in a land prone area, therefore, modern techniques will be used to make it safe from earthquakes and natural disasters. The Messina Bridge has been planned and postponed several times in the past. This plan has been going on since 1969 but now it is being taken forward with great vigor.
Concerns have been raised about some of the environmental impacts of the project and its possible impact on the flight paths of local birds. Also, caution is being exercised about mafia interference.
The Italian government has proposed classifying it as a defense-related project so that it can be included in NATO's security budget.
Preliminary work will begin by the end of 2025, and full construction is planned to be finished between 2032-33. The bridge will be a milestone in the economic and social progress of southern Italy.
