Thousands of people have marched in Messina, Sicily, to protest a government plan to build a bridge connecting the Italian mainland with Sicily.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter smiles at photographers as he warms up during practice at the team's NFL football training camp, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. LIVE RADAR: Isolated thunderstorms and rain, as many prepare for pre-season footballAugust 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM This digital rendering shows a bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily, a long-delayed 13.
5 billion euro project, that an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments has approved, the Italian Transport Ministry said in a statement, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Protesters staunchly oppose the Strait of Messina Bridge project over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.The idea to build a bridge to connect Sicily to the rest of Italy has been debated off and on for decades but always delayed due to these concerns. The project, however, took a major step forward when a government committee overseeing strategic public investments approved the plan this week. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, the project’s main political backer, called it “the biggest infrastructure project in the West.” Salvini cited studies estimating the project would create up to 120,000 jobs annually and help stimulate economic growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more are invested in surrounding road and infrastructure improvements. Opponents are not convinced by these arguments. They are also angry that about 500 families would have to be expropriated in order for the bridge to be built. “The Strait of Messina can’t be touched,” protesters shouted as they marched in Messina. Many carried banners that said “No Ponte” . Organizers estimated crowd size at 10,000 people. The proposed bridge would span nearly 3.7 kilometers with a suspended section of 3.3 kilometers . It would surpass Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge by 1,277 meters to become the longest suspension bridge in the world. Preliminary work could begin as early as late September or early October, pending approval from Italy’s Court of Audit. Full construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion targeted between 2032 and 2033. Plans for a bridge have been approved and canceled multiple times since the Italian government first solicited proposals for one in 1969. Premier Giorgia Meloni’s administration revived the project in 2023. With three car lanes in each direction flanked by a double-track railway, the bridge would have the capacity to carry 6,000 cars an hour and 200 trains a day — reducing the time to cross the strait by ferry from up to 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car. Trains would save 2/12 hours in transit time, Salvini said. The project could also support Italy’s commitment to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP targeted by NATO, as the government has indicated it would classify the bridge as defense-related. Italy argues that the bridge would form a strategic corridor for rapid troop movements and equipment deployment, qualifying it as “security-enhancing infrastructure.” Environmental groups, however, have lodged complaints with the EU, citing concerns that the project would impact migratory birds. Italy’s president has also insisted that the project remain subject to anti-mafia legislation that applies to all large-scale infrastructure projects. Salvini pledged that keeping organized crime out of the project was a top priority. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Matteo Salvini Environment Giorgia Meloni World News Climate
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Italy greenlights Messina Strait bridge to link Sicily with the mainlandThe project to build a long-delayed and debated bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily has cleared a major hurdle. Work will begin on what will be the world’s longest suspension bridge despite concerns over earthquakes, environmental impacts and the threat of mafia interference.
Read more »
Italy okays $15.5 billion project to build world's longest suspension bridge from mainland to SicilyItaly has cleared the way to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily.
Read more »
Italy OKs $15.5 billion project to build world’s longest suspension bridge from mainland to SicilyAn interministerial committee approved the massive infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.
Read more »
Thousands march against plan to build massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainlandThousands of people have marched in Messina, Sicily, to protest a government plan to build a bridge connecting the Italian mainland with Sicily.
Read more »
Thousands march against plan to build massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainlandThousands of people marched on Saturday to protest building a bridge that would connect Italy's mainland with Sicily in a massive $15.5B project.
Read more »
Thousands march against plan to build massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainlandThousands of people have marched in Messina, Sicily, to protest a government plan to build a bridge connecting the Italian mainland with Sicily. Protesters oppose the 13.5-billion-euro project due to earthquake threats, environmental concerns, and potential mafia interference.
Read more »