Repeatedly Proposed Since 2009 but Always Failed
Deputy Prime Minister Leading the Bill: "It Will Be Italy's Glory"
The Italian government is once again pushing forward with the construction of the Messina Bridge connecting the island of Sicily and the mainland.
On the 16th (local time), Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni approved a bill to resume the Messina Bridge construction project during a cabinet meeting.
The Messina Bridge is a project to span the Strait of Messina, linking the island of Sicily to Calabria in the southwestern Italian peninsula.
Italy has long struggled with the chronic economic disparity between the south and the north, and as one of the solutions, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced plans in 2009 to build a bridge across the Strait of Messina.
However, the Messina Bridge project was scrapped in 2013 due to the subsequent financial crisis and opposition from environmental groups. Since then, there have been efforts to revive the project with each change of government, but various difficulties have prevented its realization.
The Messina Bridge will have a total length of 3.2 km, and since Calabria is a region prone to earthquakes, astronomical civil engineering costs are required to build the bridge structure. For the Italian government, which suffers from chronic fiscal deficits, this is not an easy project.
The strait of Sicily Island where the Messina Bridge construction is being promoted [Image source=Pixabay]
Despite these difficulties, the primary reason for the project's revival is the influence of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.
The ruling right-wing party led by Salvini, the League, has its support base in the wealthy north. Under the plan to expand this northern support base nationwide, Salvini has persistently pushed for the construction of the Messina Bridge.
Salvini expressed confidence in the safety of the bridge, stating, “This bridge will be built according to new technology, safety, and environmental standards, and it will be a great honor to showcase Italy’s technological prowess.” He also argued that the project could create numerous jobs.
Following Prime Minister Meloni’s approval of the bill, Salvini posted on his Twitter, calling it a “historic day.” He added, “After long defeatism and distrust, the government has revived the project to connect the island of Sicily with other parts of Italy and Europe.”
Additionally, former Prime Minister Berlusconi, another partner in the right-wing camp, expressed joy over the revival of the project he once promoted, saying, “It will be the most beautiful, environmentally friendly, and safest bridge in the world.”
Meanwhile, the Italian parliament is expected to put the bill related to the Messina Bridge construction to a vote within 60 days.
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