Hundreds march in opposition to plan to construct huge bridge linking Sicily to Italy’s mainland

ROME (AP) — Hundreds of individuals marched within the Sicilian metropolis of Messina on Saturday to protest a authorities plan to construct a bridge that might join the Italian mainland with Sicily in a large 13.5-billion-euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure undertaking.

Protesters staunchly oppose the Strait of Messina Bridge undertaking over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental affect and the specter of mafia interference.

The thought to construct a bridge to attach Sicily to the remainder of Italy has been debated on and off for many years however at all times delayed resulting from these considerations. The undertaking, nonetheless, took a serious step ahead when a authorities committee overseeing strategic public investments permitted the plan this week.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, the undertaking’s most important political backer, known as it “the most important infrastructure undertaking within the West.”

Salvini cited research estimating the undertaking would create as much as 120,000 jobs yearly and assist stimulate financial progress in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions extra are invested in surrounding street and infrastructure enhancements.

Opponents usually are not satisfied by these arguments. They’re additionally indignant that about 500 households must be expropriated to ensure that the bridge to be constructed.

“The Strait of Messina can’t be touched,” protesters shouted as they marched in Messina. Many carried banners that mentioned “No Ponte” (No Bridge). Organizers estimated crowd measurement at 10,000 folks.

The proposed bridge would span practically 3.7 kilometers (2.2 miles) with a suspended part of three.3 kilometers (greater than 2 miles). It will surpass Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge by 1,277 meters (4,189 toes) to turn out to be the longest suspension bridge on the earth.

Preliminary work may start as early as late September or early October, pending approval from Italy’s Courtroom of Audit. Full building is scheduled to start in 2026, with completion focused between 2032 and 2033.

Plans for a bridge have been permitted and canceled a number of occasions because the Italian authorities first solicited proposals for one in 1969. Premier Giorgia Meloni’s administration revived the undertaking in 2023.

With three automobile lanes in every route flanked by a double-track railway, the bridge would have the capability to hold 6,000 vehicles an hour and 200 trains a day — decreasing the time to cross the strait by ferry from as much as 100 minutes to 10 minutes by automobile. Trains would save 2/12 hours in transit time, Salvini mentioned.

The undertaking may additionally assist Italy’s dedication to boost protection spending to five% of GDP focused by NATO, as the federal government has indicated it might classify the bridge as defense-related.

Italy argues that the bridge would type a strategic hall for speedy troop actions and tools deployment, qualifying it as “security-enhancing infrastructure.”

Environmental teams, nonetheless, have lodged complaints with the EU, citing considerations that the undertaking would affect migratory birds.

Italy’s president has additionally insisted that the undertaking stay topic to anti-mafia laws that applies to all large-scale infrastructure initiatives. Salvini pledged that preserving organized crime out of the undertaking was a high precedence.