Computer simulation of the bridge between Calabria and Sicily presented in the previous Berlusconi term EFE
The infrastructure is surrounded by controversy due to its high seismic risk and high cost, around 7,000 million euros.
17 mar 2023 . Updated at 2:07 p.m.
The never ending story of building a bridge linking the Italian regions of Sicily and Calabria could have entered its final stage, the construction. After centuries of never realized ambitions to save the little more than three kilometers that separate the largest Mediterranean island from the continent, the conservative Executive of Giorgia Meloni approved on Thursday night a decree that recovers the old project of 2012, when she also governed the right, to raise this colossal infrastructure. It is expected that after updating the plans from eleven years ago to the latest environmental, technical and safety regulations, the works will begin before autumn 2024, which in principle should last about five years.
The construction of the Strait of Messina bridge has always been surrounded by controversy due to its gigantic costsince it is estimated to be about 7,000 million euros, and because it will be built in an area with a high seismic risk. In fact, the Sicilian city from which to depart was devastated by an earthquake in 1908. Its detractors also argue that the infrastructure would entail a very high and unsustainable environmental cost, as denounced by the environmental organization WWF, recalling that the Strait of Messina is a key place for the transit of birds and marine mammals and which has great biodiversity.
With their 3.6 kilometers long, three lanes for rubber traffic in each direction and double rail track for trains to circulate, the Strait Bridge will be built by the same consortium that won the public tender held eleven years ago, Eurolink, led by the company Webuild and of which the Spanish Sacyr is a part.
For Matthew SalviniDeputy Prime Minister and head of the Infrastructure and Transport portfolio, giving the bridge a go means a historic day not only for Calabria and Sicily, but for all of Italy. The Executive, however, has included a precaution in the approval decree, stating that the infrastructure will go ahead except for agreements.
First stone in summer
Despite the fact that the text leaves the door open to eventual delays, Salvini has insisted this Friday that the executive project be approved before July 31, 2024, so the first stone can be laid during that summer. It has also responded to those who warn of the great risk of devastating earthquakes in the area. There is seismicity in Italy, as there is also in Turkey and Japan, and there are bridges there, he stated, clarifying that in 2012 studies were carried out in this regard by Italian, Spanish, Japanese and American companies that guaranteed safety. There is no problem of tides, wind or seismicitySalvini stressed, convinced that Italy will have the most beautiful, greenest and safest bridge in the world.
Also for his partner in the government coalition, Silvio Berlusconi, it has been a joy to resume his old ambition to connect Sicily and Calabria, which he has been talking about since he entered politics at the end of the last century. In 2006 he managed to sign a contract to build the bridge, but a political crisis caused a change of government and the rise to power of leftist Romano Prodi, who considered the infrastructure useless and harmful. Two years later, the tycoon returned to the Executive, but the bridge project was then kept in a drawer due to the economic crisis that ultimately meant the end of his Cabinet.