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Local Italy
6 days ago
- Politics
- Local Italy
Inside Italy: Why building a bridge to Sicily won't unite Italians
Inside Italy For Members In this week's Inside Italy newsletter, we look at why the government is so enthusiastic about the Messina Strait bridge project, and why work may begin soon despite the challenges threatening to blow it off course. Inside Italy is our weekly look at some of the news and talking points from Italy that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. Is construction work finally about to begin on the long-promised Messina Strait bridge? The Italian government is expected to give its final approval to the plans within the next two weeks. An enormous amount has been written about this contested bridge project and its viability over the years. Anyone who follows Italian current affairs will be aware of the long list of convincing arguments against the plan, which include a risk of major earthquakes at exactly the point it is set to be built, and the frequent high winds (of up to 140 kilometres per hour) that the Strait is notorious for. Then there's the cost to the Italian state, currently estimated at 13.5 billion euros, and the fact that a lot of that money is widely expected to be siphoned off by the mafia. Practical problems with building a bridge over the Strait have in the past thwarted everyone from the emperor Charlemagne, the Bourbon King of the Two Sicilies Ferdinand II, Italy's first King Victor Emmanuel, the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, and more recently, Silvio Berlusconi. The idea is said to date back to the Roman Empire. Powerful men are well known for wanting to build physical monuments to their own greatness. And this particularly difficult construction challenge seems to attract them like a magnet. Enter Matteo Salvini, the latest champion of the bridge project, who seems to genuinely believe that he will succeed where so many others could not. In his position as Giorgia Meloni's deputy prime minister and infrastructure minister, he intends to make his late ally Berlusconi's plans a reality - and to name the bridge after him. And, after recent changes to the design, this is now set to be the longest suspension bridge in the world, at 3.3 kilometres. Salvini now insists that construction work will begin this summer, and that the bridge will be ready to use by 2032. Although he did say work would start last summer, as well. He has been accused of backing the attention-grabbing bridge project in order to remain in the spotlight, as his League party has been eclipsed by Meloni's Brothers of Italy. But it doesn't seem like a wildly popular policy to stake his career on. There's significant opposition to the project in Sicily itself, while it's not thought to be popular among Salvini's traditional support base in northern Italy, either. In fact, it seems that few people outside of the government are enthusiastic. Media reports often use the aphorism 'the bridge that divides Italy' when talking about the project, but I find most Italians I talk to are instead united in resignation over the fact that the state is, yet again, spending enormous sums of money on something no-one asked for. Do people think a bridge will actually be built? ' Boh, chissà?' To most of those I've asked, it hardly seems to matter. Residents of Messina and Reggio Calabria say they haven't been involved in consultations over the project planned to connect their cities. The mayor of Messina complained at the time that the government didn't even contact him before announcing the project's revival. Many people would like better transport links between Sicily and the mainland, as well as better infrastructure within Sicily itself. But the government in Rome doesn't seem overly concerned with, for example, replacing the old diesel trains still running on many stretches of track. Salvini meanwhile has described the bridge as 'a model for the Italy that believes in itself.' Looking at history, it seems more like a project for leaders who believe in their own exceptional power. The idea surfaced at the birth of a kingdom, and then of a dictatorship, at the peak of the post-war economic boom, and now again amid the rise and rise of the political right in Europe and beyond. Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government at the moment appears to feel untouchable, confident that it will reach its full term and then serve another, where so many Italian administrations have failed after just a year or two (an average of 18 months, to be precise). So why not build a bridge? To succeed, they'll have to defy both the gale-force winds on the Messina Strait, and the equally powerful and unpredictable winds of change in Italian politics, for the next seven years at least. Inside Italy is our weekly look at some of the news and talking points in Italy that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
Local Italy
12-06-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
‘Senseless project': Italy forges ahead with contested Messina bridge plan
The 13.5-billion-euro project would carry trains and six lanes of traffic, allowing cars to cross the Strait of Messina in 15 minutes. But widespread scepticism about the project continues, after decades of false starts. Challenges to its completion include winds of more than 100 kilometres an hour (62 mph) and the risk of earthquakes in a region that lies across two tectonic plates. The government says the bridge will be at the cutting edge of engineering, with the section suspended between its two pillars stretching 3.3 kilometres, the longest in the world. Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, one of the main champions of the project, insists it will be a game-changer for the local economy. "The bridge will be a catalyst for development," he said on a recent visit to Reggio Calabria, where the bridge will begin. But critics point to a long history of public works announced, financed and never completed in Italy, whether due to corruption or political instability, at enormous cost to taxpayers. "The public does not trust this political class and these projects that become endless construction sites," said Luigi Sturniolo from protest group Rete No Ponte (No Bridge Network). Meloni's ministers are expected to give their final approval to the project later this month, and Salvini insists construction will begin this summer. But work had already been announced for the summer of 2024, before being postponed - a common theme in the history of the bridge. The first law for the project was passed in 1971. Since then, successive governments have either revived it or cancelled it. In 2012, the idea appeared to be definitely abandoned amid the eurozone debt crisis, only for Meloni's government, which took office in 2022, to return to it once again. There is also the question of mafia infiltration. The attorney general of Messina recently warned of the risk that organised crime would benefit from the project, noting that "the power of the mafia is hidden... behind public contracts". The government has proposed placing companies relating to the project under control of an anti-mafia structure reporting to the interior ministry. But Italian President Sergio Mattarella blocked this, saying it should only be used for one-off events such as earthquake relief or the Olympics. Salvini argued that the bridge can help tackle the mafia, saying: "You do not fight the mafia... with conferences and protests, but by creating jobs and giving hope to young people." The project has sparked local protests, with critics warning of the impact on a protected marine zone and an important bird migratory route. Sturniolo told AFP it was a "senseless project" which used up valuable funds when "our regions already suffer from many problems... healthcare, schools, and infrastructure." The Italian Court of Auditors has also criticised the extent of the debt-laden Italian state's investment in this one project in its assessment of the 2024 budget. "They want to make an entire territory believe that it's only hope is this bridge -- but then the bridge never arrives," Sturniolo added.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italy forges on with world's largest suspension bridge
Italy hopes to begin constructing the world's largest suspension bridge connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland this summer amid widespread scepticism that it will ever be built. The 13.5-billion-euro ($15.3-billion) project would carry trains and six lanes of traffic, allowing cars to cross the Strait of Messina in 15 minutes. Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government hopes to boost the economy of the impoverished region, although critics say there are better ways to do this -- and many believe that after decades of false starts, the bridge will never actually happen. The choppy waters between the eastern tip of Sicily and the western edge of the region of Calabria are legendary as the place where monsters Scylla and Charybdis terrified sailors in Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey". These days the challenges are more prosaic, from winds of more than 100 kilometres an hour (62 mph) to the real risk of earthquakes in a region that lies across two tectonic plates. The government says the bridge will be at the cutting edge of engineering, with the section suspended between its two pillars stretching 3.3 kilometres, the longest in the world. But critics point to a long history of public works announced, financed and never completed in Italy, whether due to corruption or political instability, resulting in enormous losses for taxpayers. "The public does not trust this political class and these projects that become endless construction sites," said Luigi Storniolo, a member of protest group No Ponte (No Bridge). Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, one of the main champions of the project, insists it will be a game-changer for the local economy. "The bridge will be a catalyst for development," he said on a recent visit to Reggio di Calabria, the city where the bridge will begin. - 'A senseless project' - The government hopes to boost trade in Sicily, which currently suffers from an "insularity cost" of around 6.5 billion euros a year, according to regional authorities. Meloni's ministers are expected to give their final approval to the project -- which Rome will fund -- later this month, and Salvini insists construction will begin this summer. But work had already been announced for the summer of 2024, before being postponed -- a common theme in the history of the bridge, the idea of which dates back to the unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century. The first law for the project was passed in 1971. Since then, successive governments have either revived it or cancelled it. In 2012, the idea appeared to be definitely abandoned amid the eurozone debt crisis, only for Meloni's government, which took office in 2022, to return to it once again. Salvini has repeatedly stated that the bridge would create 120,000 jobs in Calabria and Sicily, which have the fourth and the 13th highest unemployment rates respectively in the EU for young people under 29. However, the left-wing CGIL trade union estimates around 2,300 workers a year will be hired during the project, and critics say the jobs created will be offset by long-term losses from the closure of ferries. - Mafia risk - The project has sparked local protests, with critics warning of the impact on a protected marine zone and an important bird migratory route. Storniolo told AFP it was a "senseless project" which used up valuable funds when "our regions already suffer from many problems... healthcare, schools, and infrastructure." The Italian Court of Auditors has also criticised the extent of the debt-laden Italian state's investment in this one project in its assessment of the 2024 budget. "They want to make an entire territory believe that its only hope is this bridge -- but then the bridge never arrives," protester Storniolo added. There is also the question of mafia infiltration. The attorney general of Messina recently warned of the risk that organised crime would benefit from the project, noting that "the power of the mafia is hidden... behind public contracts". The government has proposed placing companies relating to the project under control of an anti-mafia structure reporting to the interior ministry. But Italian President Sergio Mattarella blocked this, saying it should only be used for one-off events such as earthquakes or the Olympics. Salvini argued that the bridge can help tackle the mafia, saying: "You do not fight the mafia... with conferences and protests, but by creating jobs and giving hope to young people." str-gab/ar/ide/fg
France 24
11-06-2025
- Business
- France 24
Italy forges on with world's largest suspension bridge
The 13.5-billion-euro ($15.3-billion) project would carry trains and six lanes of traffic, allowing cars to cross the Strait of Messina in 15 minutes. Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government hopes to boost the economy of the impoverished region, although critics say there are better ways to do this -- and many believe that after decades of false starts, the bridge will never actually happen. The choppy waters between the eastern tip of Sicily and the western edge of the region of Calabria are legendary as the place where monsters Scylla and Charybdis terrified sailors in Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey". These days the challenges are more prosaic, from winds of more than 100 kilometres an hour (62 mph) to the real risk of earthquakes in a region that lies across two tectonic plates. The government says the bridge will be at the cutting edge of engineering, with the section suspended between its two pillars stretching 3.3 kilometres, the longest in the world. But critics point to a long history of public works announced, financed and never completed in Italy, whether due to corruption or political instability, resulting in enormous losses for taxpayers. "The public does not trust this political class and these projects that become endless construction sites," said Luigi Storniolo, a member of protest group No Ponte (No Bridge). Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, one of the main champions of the project, insists it will be a game-changer for the local economy. "The bridge will be a catalyst for development," he said on a recent visit to Reggio di Calabria, the city where the bridge will begin. 'A senseless project' The government hopes to boost trade in Sicily, which currently suffers from an "insularity cost" of around 6.5 billion euros a year, according to regional authorities. Meloni's ministers are expected to give their final approval to the project -- which Rome will fund -- later this month, and Salvini insists construction will begin this summer. But work had already been announced for the summer of 2024, before being postponed -- a common theme in the history of the bridge, the idea of which dates back to the unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century. The first law for the project was passed in 1971. Since then, successive governments have either revived it or cancelled it. In 2012, the idea appeared to be definitely abandoned amid the eurozone debt crisis, only for Meloni's government, which took office in 2022, to return to it once again. Salvini has repeatedly stated that the bridge would create 120,000 jobs in Calabria and Sicily, which have the fourth and the 13th highest unemployment rates respectively in the EU for young people under 29. However, the left-wing CGIL trade union estimates around 2,300 workers a year will be hired during the project, and critics say the jobs created will be offset by long-term losses from the closure of ferries. Mafia risk The project has sparked local protests, with critics warning of the impact on a protected marine zone and an important bird migratory route. Storniolo told AFP it was a "senseless project" which used up valuable funds when "our regions already suffer from many problems... healthcare, schools, and infrastructure." The Italian Court of Auditors has also criticised the extent of the debt-laden Italian state's investment in this one project in its assessment of the 2024 budget. "They want to make an entire territory believe that its only hope is this bridge -- but then the bridge never arrives," protester Storniolo added. There is also the question of mafia infiltration. The attorney general of Messina recently warned of the risk that organised crime would benefit from the project, noting that "the power of the mafia is hidden... behind public contracts". The government has proposed placing companies relating to the project under control of an anti-mafia structure reporting to the interior ministry. But Italian President Sergio Mattarella blocked this, saying it should only be used for one-off events such as earthquakes or the Olympics. Salvini argued that the bridge can help tackle the mafia, saying: "You do not fight the mafia... with conferences and protests, but by creating jobs and giving hope to young people."
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Italy forges on with world's largest suspension bridge
The S$19.83 million project would carry trains and six lanes of traffic, allowing cars to cross the Strait of Messina in 15 minutes. PHOTO: AFP ROME - Italy hopes to begin constructing the world's largest suspension bridge connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland this summer, amid widespread scepticism that it will ever be built. The €13.5 billion (S$19.83 million) project would carry trains and six lanes of traffic, allowing cars to cross the Strait of Messina in 15 minutes. Ms Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government hopes to boost the economy of the impoverished region, although critics say there are better ways to do this – and many believe that after decades of false starts, the bridge will never actually happen. The choppy waters between the eastern tip of Sicily and the western edge of the region of Calabria are legendary as the place where monsters Scylla and Charybdis terrified sailors in Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey'. These days the challenges are more prosaic, from winds of more than 100kmh to the real risk of earthquakes in a region that lies across two tectonic plates. The government says the bridge will be at the cutting edge of engineering, with the section suspended between its two pillars stretching 3.3km, the longest in the world. But critics point to a long history of public works announced, financed and never completed in Italy, whether due to corruption or political instability, resulting in enormous losses for taxpayers. 'The public does not trust this political class and these projects that become endless construction sites,' said Mr Luigi Storniolo, a member of protest group No Ponte (No Bridge). Infrastructure Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, one of the main champions of the project, insists it will be a game-changer for the local economy. 'The bridge will be a catalyst for development,' he said on a recent visit to Reggio di Calabria, the city where the bridge will begin. 'A senseless project' The government hopes to boost trade in Sicily, which currently suffers from an 'insularity cost' of around €6.5 billion a year, according to regional authorities. Ms Meloni's ministers are expected to give their final approval to the project – which Rome will fund – later in June, and Mr Salvini insists construction will begin this summer. But work had already been announced for the summer of 2024, before being postponed – a common theme in the history of the bridge, the idea of which dates back to the unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century. The first law for the project was passed in 1971. Since then, successive governments have either revived it or cancelled it. In 2012, the idea appeared to be definitely abandoned amid the eurozone debt crisis, only for Ms Meloni's government, which took office in 2022, to return to it once again. Mr Salvini has repeatedly stated that the bridge would create 120,000 jobs in Calabria and Sicily, which have the fourth and the 13th highest unemployment rates respectively in the EU for young people under 29. However, the left-wing CGIL trade union estimates around 2,300 workers a year will be hired during the project, and critics say the jobs created will be offset by long-term losses from the closure of ferries. Mafia risk The project has sparked local protests, with critics warning of the impact on a protected marine zone and an important bird migratory route. Mr Storniolo told AFP it was a 'senseless project' which used up valuable funds when 'our regions already suffer from many problems... healthcare, schools, and infrastructure.' The Italian Court of Auditors has also criticised the extent of the debt-laden Italian state's investment in this one project in its assessment of the 2024 budget. 'They want to make an entire territory believe that its only hope is this bridge – but then the bridge never arrives,' protester Mr Storniolo added. There is also the question of mafia infiltration. The attorney-general of Messina recently warned of the risk that organised crime would benefit from the project, noting that 'the power of the mafia is hidden... behind public contracts'. The government has proposed placing companies relating to the project under control of an anti-mafia structure reporting to the interior ministry. But Italian President Sergio Mattarella blocked this, saying it should only be used for one-off events such as earthquakes or the Olympics. Mr Salvini argued that the bridge can help tackle the mafia, saying: 'You do not fight the mafia... with conferences and protests, but by creating jobs and giving hope to young people.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
