Italy Greenlights €13.5B for Construction of World’s Longest Suspension Bridge
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Italian government granted final approval for a colossal €13.5 billion ($15.6 billion) infrastructure project. The initiative aims to construct the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland across the Strait of Messina.
The ambitious bridge, spanning 3.3 kilometers, is set to outstrip Turkey’s Çanakkale Bridge as the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge by a staggering 1,200 meters. The design incorporates six traffic lanes and two railway tracks, enabling the structure to handle 6,000 cars per hour and 200 trains daily. This will drastically reduce the crossing time from up to 100 minutes by ferry to a mere 10 minutes by car.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has hailed the initiative as “the biggest infrastructure project in the West.” He anticipates that the project will generate 120,000 jobs annually and spur economic growth in southern Italy. Spearheaded by Italian construction behemoth Webuild, the project is slated for completion by 2032.
Despite the project’s potential benefits, it has been met with criticism. Detractors have raised concerns about the environmental impact, earthquake risks, and potential mafia infiltration. On the other hand, supporters assert that the bridge will revolutionize transportation and stimulate the region’s economy.
Source: CNN Travel