Italian Government Approves Sicily-Continent Bridge Project

The Italian government has approved the construction of a suspension bridge connecting Sicily to the mainland, with delivery expected by 2032. Spanning 3.3 km across the Strait of Messina, the bridge would surpass the current world record held by the Dardanelles Bridge in Turkey.

The project features two 400-meter-high towers, connected by two pairs of main cables capable of supporting the bridge’s load while withstanding strong winds and the frequent seismic activity in this area, located at the junction of two tectonic plates. The structure will include three traffic lanes on each side and two central railway tracks, allowing trains and vehicles to operate simultaneously. The rail tracks will accommodate both passenger and freight traffic.

The total project cost is estimated at €13.5 billion, funded by the Italian government. Authorities see the bridge as a “development accelerator” for Sicily and Calabria, two historically disadvantaged regions, creating tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and after completion. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini emphasized that the bridge could transform economic and logistical exchanges between southern Italy and the rest of the country.

The project has a long history: initial studies date back more than 50 years, and a tender was already won in 2006 by the Eurolink consortium, led by Webuild. The current design incorporates modern technological solutions to maximize both safety and efficiency. The total width of the bridge will be sufficient to separate rail and road traffic while including pedestrian paths and maintenance walkways, accessible only to authorized personnel.

If realized, the Sicily-Continent Bridge will mark a historic milestone for global civil engineering and for the economic development of southern Italy, permanently linking the island to the rest of the country.