World Approves Construction of Longest Suspension Bridge, Valued at $15.6 Billion, Over the Messina Strait in Italy
The long-awaited Messina Strait Bridge project in Italy is set to enter the implementation phase in 2025, with construction expected to begin this year and completion forecast for 2032[1][2][5]. The project, designated as a national priority by Italy, has received final government approval on August 6, 2025[1][3].
This suspension bridge will be a world-record breaker, boasting a central suspended span of 3,300 meters, surpassing the current record by about one kilometer[2][3][4]. The total deck length will be approximately 3,666 meters[2][4]. The deck, about 60 meters wide, will support efficient road and rail traffic, with three vehicle lanes in each direction plus two railway tracks[2][4].
The towering support towers will reach 399 meters tall, taller than the Empire State Building, while the massive cables will be composed of 940,000 kilometers of steel wire[4]. The deck will be situated 72 meters above sea level to allow safe passage of ships[4].
The Messina Strait Bridge is being managed by Eurolink, a consortium led by Webuild (Italy's largest construction firm), including Sacyr (Spain), IHI (Japan), and Italian companies Condotte and Itinera[2][3][5]. The total project contract value is around €10.6 billion, covering the bridge and complementary infrastructure such as roads, rail lines, regional transport, and new stations on both sides[2][3].
The bridge is a key component of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), aiming to improve connectivity between Sicily and mainland Italy and act as an economic catalyst for southern Italy[1][3].
The bridge is engineered to withstand earthquakes up to 7.1 on the Richter scale, reflecting the location along a fault line where a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in 1908, claiming over 100,000 lives[1]. It is also designed to withstand winds reaching speeds of up to 180 mph[1].
The waters in the Strait of Messina are known for their turbulence and strong currents that change direction every six hours, posing a unique challenge to the bridge's construction[6]. The navigation channel of the Messina Strait Bridge will have a width of 600 meters to accommodate large vessels[4].
The bridge project was originally set in motion during Silvio Berlusconi's time as minister but was abandoned under the Prime Minister Romano Prodi. However, it has been reignited by a recent government decree in the Giorgia Meloni administration[3].
The Messina Strait Bridge is a significant step towards bridging the gap between Sicily and mainland Italy, marking a major engineering milestone worldwide[1][3][5]. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini and Webuild CEO Pietro Salini have emphasized their unwavering commitment to safety and legal compliance throughout the construction process[1][7].
- The Messina Strait Bridge project, a national priority for Italy, received final government approval in 2025, paving the way for the implementation phase in 2025 and the anticipated construction start this year.
- As part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the Messina Strait Bridge aims to improve connectivity between Sicily and mainland Italy, acting as an economic catalyst for southern Italy.
- The bridge, managed by Eurolink, a consortium including Webuild, Sacyr, IHI, Condotte, and Itinera, has a total project contract value of about €10.6 billion, covering the bridge and complementary infrastructure like roads, rail lines, regional transport, and new stations on both sides.
- Despite the challenging waters of the Messina Strait known for their turbulence and strong currents, the navigation channel of the bridge will have a width of 600 meters to accommodate large vessels, demonstrating the advanced construction technology employed in its design and construction.
