#messinastraitbridge

In Messina, thousands of residents took to the streets on Saturday to protest against plans to build the world’s longest suspension bridge, linking the island of Sicily to mainland Italy across the Messina Strait. The demonstrations came just days before a 2.6-magnitude earthquake struck the area, intensifying concerns over the project’s safety.

A massive and ambitious project

Estimated at €13.5 billion, the project involves a 3,666-meter-long bridge with towers reaching 399 meters in height, along with connecting roads and supporting infrastructure. The works are being led by the Eurolink consortium, headed by Webuild, with preparatory activities expected to start this summer and completion planned for 2033.

Crowds in Messina march against the construction of a bridge linking Sicily to mainland Italy, holding red banners rejecting the project.

Public opposition

Protesters around 10,000 people according to organizers voiced their opposition for several reasons: - The expropriation of approximately 500 homes and properties. - Significant environmental impact. - Seismic risks, highlighted by the recent earthquake. - Concerns over potential mafia involvement in the works. Mariolina De Francesco, a 75-year-old resident whose home is near the planned site of one of the towers, said: “Even if they offered me three times the value of my house, I wouldn’t accept. The natural landscape is priceless, and I won’t allow it to be touched.”

Government’s stance

Italy’s Transport Minister, Matteo Salvini, described the development as “the biggest infrastructure project in the West,” stating that it could create 120,000 jobs per year during construction and stimulate growth in southern Italy, where the unemployment rate is 15%, more than double the national average of 6.5%.

Participants in a Messina protest voice their rejection of the bridge project, surrounded by flags and opposition slogans.

A historically stalled vision

The idea for the bridge dates back to 1969, but has been repeatedly delayed due to political and economic challenges. With the recent government approval, the project’s future will depend on balancing economic potential with environmental protection and local interests.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight – English

In a long-awaited move, the Italian government officially launched the construction of a massive new bridge across the Strait of Messina on Tuesday, August 6, 2025. Once completed, the structure will become the longest suspension bridge in the world. It will also be the first permanent road and rail link between Sicily and mainland Italy.

A Bold Structure Stretching 3,666 Meters

The bridge will span 3,666 meters, linking the cities of Messina in Sicily and Calabria in southern Italy. It has an estimated budget of €13.5 billion. Its design includes: - Six traffic lanes (three in each direction) - Two railway tracks - Two service lanes 3D visualization of the Messina Strait suspension bridge, set to become the world’s longest, connecting Sicily with mainland Italy through advanced structural engineering. The structure is expected to handle heavy daily traffic. It will accommodate up to 6,000 vehicles per hour and 200 trains per day.

Built to Withstand Nature’s Extremes

The bridge will rely on two steel towers, each 399 meters tall. In addition, it will use suspension cables measuring 1.26 meters in diameter and 5,320 meters long, a feat described by the contractors as an “engineering first.” Detailed rendering of the bridge's structural components, showcasing massive suspension cables and vehicular pathways in a design built for durability and precision. Designed to endure strong seismic activity and winds up to 292 km/h, the bridge will be equipped with a smart monitoring system. This system allows for predictive maintenance and early issue detection.

More Than a Bridge: A Regional Transformation

The project is being carried out by the Eurolink consortium. It is led by Webuild (Italy) and includes IHI (Japan), Sacyr (Spain), along with Italian firms Condotte and Itinera. Beyond the bridge itself, the project includes upgrades to 40 km of roads and railway lines. It also entails three new train stations in Messina and a multifunctional hub in Calabria.

A Dream Half a Century in the Making

The idea of connecting Sicily to the mainland dates back to 1969, but construction never began. In 2006, Eurolink was awarded the design and build contract. However, the project was halted by a government decree in October 2012. It wasn’t until March 2023 that the plan was revived and officially reactivated. Speaking on the relaunch, Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, commented: Aerial rendering of the proposed Messina bridge, showing its integration with the urban and natural environments on both the Sicilian and Calabrian sides. "This project marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with vision, courage, and renewed confidence in the power of Italian industry and infrastructure."

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight