Italy’s government has now reportedly given the green light to an ambitious infrastructure project to build the world’s longest suspension bridge, linking Sicily to the Italian mainland across the Strait of Messina.
The estimated €13.5 billion ($15.6 billion) project, announced Wednesday by Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, is slated to be operational in the early 2030s.
Designed with engineering innovation, the bridge will feature two towering steel pylons, each rising 1,310 feet, eliminating the need for a central tower in the strait’s challenging waters.
The suspended span will stretch approximately two miles—10,827 feet—surpassing the current world record held by Turkey’s 2022 Çanakkale Bridge at 6,637 feet.
The project is not only a major engineering feat but also a strategic asset. Italy has classified the bridge as a military expenditure, allowing the cost to count toward the country’s NATO defense spending commitments.
This move comes amid a broader European push, including Italy, to increase military spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade, reflecting heightened concerns over security in the Mediterranean region.
Salvini emphasized the bridge’s dual civilian and defense roles. “It is clear that it can have a dual use, also for security purposes,” he said.
The bridge’s design includes a rail connection, which will significantly improve the mobility of Italy’s armed forces to the strategically vital island, enhancing national defense and rapid response capabilities.
Italian construction giant Webuild, known for its work expanding the Panama Canal, will lead the consortium tasked with building the bridge.
The structure will accommodate six traffic lanes and two railway tracks and is engineered for a lifespan of 200 years, signaling a long-term investment in the country’s infrastructure and security.
The concept of a fixed link between Sicily and the mainland has long historical roots.
Originally proposed in the 19th century to promote national unity and economic development, the idea was revisited in the 1950s when reports weighed the merits of either a tunnel or suspension bridge.
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi championed the project during his tenure, approving plans in the early 2000s. However, the initiative was halted after his electoral defeat in 2001 and again scrapped in 2011 due to financial concerns.
Critics have traditionally argued that the enormous costs could be better allocated elsewhere and warned of potential environmental harm.
Despite such skepticism, the current government’s decision reflects a pragmatic approach toward enhancing both economic connectivity and defense readiness.
The bridge’s integration into Italy’s military strategy aligns with NATO’s broader security objectives amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the region.
By advancing this project, Italy not only reaffirms its commitment to infrastructure modernization but also strengthens its position as a key Mediterranean power capable of rapid military mobilization and economic integration.
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