World’s Longest Suspension Bridge to be Built Over the Messina Strait
After decades of false starts, Italy has finally given the green light to a monumental $15.6 billion project: the world’s longest suspension bridge, set to span the Strait of Messina and connect Sicily to Calabria. The approval marks a turning point in Italian infrastructure, promising to reshape mobility, boost the economy, and cement Italy’s place in global engineering history.
Currently, trains cross the strait via a 30-minute ferry journey. The new bridge aims to cut that time drastically, offering a fast, permanent link that could redefine travel between the island and the mainland.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has positioned the project as a strategic investment, highlighting its potential to create 120,000 jobs annually in two of Europe’s poorest regions: Sicily and Calabria.
Ambition on a Grand Scale
The Messina Bridge will be an engineering feat of unprecedented proportions. The final design calls for a single-span suspension bridge stretching 3.3 kilometres, supported by two 400-metre towers – taller than the Empire State Building. The deck will feature two central railway lines flanked by three traffic lanes in each direction, capable of carrying 200 trains daily and up to 6,000 vehicles per hour.
The structure will incorporate state-of-the-art seismic resilience. Suspension bridges, by design, are less susceptible to earthquake damage, and the Messina Bridge will exceed international standards, able to withstand quakes stronger than the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Messina in 1908.
Completion is projected between 2032 and 2033.
A Vision Rooted in History
The dream of linking Sicily to the mainland has been alive for centuries, proposed and shelved multiple times due to cost, environmental concerns, and political opposition. The latest approval by CIPESS – Italy’s Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development – could finally bring it to fruition.
Pietro Salini, Chief Executive of Webuild, the project’s general contractor, described the decision as transformative: “Today, Italy has shown once again how it can come together around a mega project that will be transformative for the whole country. The Bridge will bring about a great infrastructure project spread out across many work sites, stimulating growth, employment and lawfulness across southern Italy.”
Engineering for the Future
Webuild plans to draw upon its 95,000-strong global workforce and a network of 17,500 suppliers to deliver the bridge. The project will also integrate with a larger mobility plan, including over 40 kilometres of new roads and railways, three underground train stations, ten viaducts, tunnels, and a multifunctional transport hub.
The bridge will link directly with Sicily’s Palermo-Catania-Messina rail line and the planned Salerno-Reggio Calabria high-speed corridor, forming part of an integrated transport network designed to enhance trade, tourism, and regional competitiveness.
Salini emphasised the project’s significance for Italian talent: “Talented Italian engineers, managers and workers from the sector will finally have the possibility to work in their home country on one of the most challenging projects in the world.”
Economic and Social Impact
Beyond the sheer scale of construction, the Messina Bridge is expected to deliver significant economic benefits. Large-scale infrastructure projects of this nature typically stimulate local economies through job creation, supply chain demand, and secondary industries such as hospitality and services.
Webuild points to its historical contributions – from high-speed railways to metro systems and motorways – as proof of the long-term value such projects can generate. In southern Italy alone, the company is currently delivering 19 major projects involving around 9,000 employees.
Addressing Concerns
Despite its promise, the bridge is not without controversy. Critics, including opposition politicians and environmental groups, have questioned whether the $15.6 billion price tag is the best use of public funds. Senator Nicola Irto of the Democratic Party has argued that investments should prioritise schools and healthcare.
Environmentalists have raised concerns over water use during construction, warning that millions of litres will be required daily in an area already prone to drought. Local residents in towns like Villa San Giovanni fear property loss and disruption, prompting calls for extended public consultations.
Another recurring worry is organised crime. The potential for mafia interference in such a high-value project has been noted by observers, making transparency and law enforcement oversight critical.
Global Context and Expertise
Suspension bridges in seismic zones are not new. Countries like Japan, Turkey, and the United States have successfully built similar structures in high-risk earthquake areas. The Messina Bridge will draw on these global precedents while pushing the boundaries of span length and integration with modern transport systems.
Webuild’s track record in complex infrastructure spans continents, with projects in Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Africa. Its portfolio includes major highways, metro systems, hydropower plants, and dams – giving the company the confidence to tackle the unique challenges of the Messina Strait.
A Symbol of Unity
Beyond its physical purpose, the Messina Bridge carries symbolic weight. Salini framed it as a statement of national ambition: “The project is a symbol of a united Italy that transforms the country with expertise and commitment to make it more competitive.”
If completed as planned, it will stand not just as the longest suspension bridge in the world, but as a testament to Italian ingenuity, resilience, and determination.
Building a Legacy
Italy’s history is filled with engineering milestones – from the aqueducts of Ancient Rome to the modern high-speed rail network. The Messina Bridge could become the next chapter in that story, inspiring future generations of engineers, architects, and visionaries.
In connecting Sicily and Calabria, the bridge may do more than close a geographical gap; it could bridge economic divides, stimulate new industries, and redefine southern Italy’s role in the national and European economy.
