Project Details and Impact
A Italian ministerial committee approved a 13.5 billion euro project on Wednesday to build the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge connecting Sicily, an island in Italy, to the mainland. The bridge, designed with two sets of cables stretched between 400-meter tall towers, will have two railway tracks in the center and three lanes on each side. The central span will be a record-breaking 3,300 meters long.
Scheduled for completion by 2032, the Italian government claims this engineering feat will withstand strong winds and earthquakes in a region situated at the intersection of two tectonic plates. The bridge is expected to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in two underdeveloped Italian regions, Sicily and Calabria.
Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s Statement
During the meeting, Vice Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini stated, “It will be the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge. Such infrastructure acts as a development accelerator.”
Controversy and Criticism
Despite the government’s optimistic outlook, local protests have arisen due to environmental concerns and the project’s high cost. Critics argue that the funds could be better spent elsewhere, while others question whether the project will ever be completed, citing Italy’s history of unfinished public works.
The bridge project itself has experienced multiple failed starts, with initial plans developed over 50 years ago. Eurolink, a consortium led by the Italian group Webuild, won the bid in 2006, but it was canceled following the eurozone debt crisis. Nevertheless, Eurolink remains the contractor for the relaunched project.
Defense Spending Justification
This time, Rome has an additional motivation to proceed as it classifies the bridge’s cost as defense spending. Italy, facing debt issues, agreed — along with other NATO allies— to significantly increase defense spending to 5% of GDP at the request of then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Of this percentage, 1.5% can be allocated to “defense-related areas,” such as cybersecurity and infrastructure. Italy hopes the Mesina bridge project will qualify, especially since Sicily hosts a NATO base.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the bridge? The primary goal of this 13.5 billion euro project is to connect Sicily to the Italian mainland with the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge, aiming to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in underdeveloped regions.
- Who approved the project? A Italian ministerial committee approved the project on Wednesday.
- What are the bridge’s specifications? The bridge will have two railway tracks in the center and three lanes on each side, with two sets of cables stretched between 400-meter tall towers. The central span will be a record-breaking 3,300 meters long.
- When is the bridge expected to be completed? The bridge is scheduled for completion by 2032.
- Why are there protests against the project? Local protests have arisen due to environmental concerns and the high cost of the project. Critics argue that funds could be better spent elsewhere, while others question whether the project will ever be completed.
- How does Italy justify the bridge’s cost as defense spending? Italy classifies the bridge’s cost as defense spending, aiming to increase defense expenditure to 5% of GDP as requested by then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
