Italy is set to commence construction of the long-anticipated bridge connecting the mainland to Sicily this summer. Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini announced that the project, initially shelved in 2013 due to cost-cutting measures, has been revived under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. With an allocated budget of €13.5 billion ($15.2 billion), the bridge aims to span 3.6 kilometers, featuring a central span of 3.3 kilometers to link Sicily with the Calabria region. This ambitious endeavor is expected to significantly enhance transportation efficiency and stimulate economic growth in southern Italy.
The bridge project has garnered both support and criticism. Proponents argue that it will improve connectivity and boost the regional economy. However, concerns have been raised regarding environmental impacts, seismic activity in the area, and potential involvement of organized crime. Salvini emphasized the bridge's structural resilience and vowed to prevent organized crime from hindering development. The overseeing company, led by CEO Pietro Ciucci, indicated that final approval is pending from a strategic infrastructure committee, with submission planned by the end of June. To address potential criminal infiltration, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced the establishment of a centralized anti-mafia unit to vet involved firms, focusing on vulnerable sectors like waste disposal.