Italy

Italy working to cut cost of mega Sicily bridge project

cde.news desk 16 November 2023, 10:00 · 1 min read

epa01657634 (FILE) An undated file image showing a computer simulation of the Messina bridge the winning project by engineering construction giant Impregilo who won a multi-billion-euro contract on 12 October 2005 to build a bridge linking Sicily to the Italian mainland. The Italian government on 06 March 2009 gave its green light to funding for a major public works programme valued at 17.8 billion euros. The package was approved by the cabinet after it received a go-ahead from the interministerial economic committee Cipe earlier. The Messina bridge, whose centre span of 3.3km (two miles) would make it the longest in the world. Work on the construction of the road and rail bridge linking Calabria and Sicily over the Straits of Messina is now due to begin later 2009. EPA/IMPREGILO / HO EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Italy’s government is seeking ways to cut the expected cost for taxpayers of a giant bridge designed to connect Sicily with the mainland, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said.

The government set aside almost 12 billion euros ($12.86 billion) through 2032 to build the infrastructure in its 2024 budget, covering the entire amount of the funding needs.

“But our commitment is to find alternative sources of funding that can reduce the burden of the work, which is currently entirely borne by the state budget,” Giorgetti said addressing parliament over the budget.

The bridge connecting Sicily to the southern Calabria region would be some 5 km (3.11 miles) long and include a central span measuring 3.3 km – easily beating the current record 2.02 km central span on the Canakkale Bridge in Turkey.

It is a highly divisive issue in Italy, drawing fierce criticism from those who question the wisdom of building it in an active earthquake zone and those who say it would be a waste of money harmful to the landscape and ecosystem.

($1 = 0.9329 euros)

Photo: An undated file image showing a computer simulation of the Messina bridge. EPA/IMPREGILO