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After all, after all attempts to build a bridge from the Italian mainland to Sicily in the past have failed, the project needs to be revived.
The cabinet of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (46) adopted a corresponding decree on Thursday. This must be passed into law by parliament within 60 days.
Bridge of 3.2 kilometers costs several billions
Italy will have to dig deep for the project: the construction of the bridge is expected to cost the state several billion euros.
The 3.2-kilometer bridge “will represent the flagship of Italian engineering,” said Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, 50. The original idea of such a bridge dates back to the time of the Roman Empire.
Meloni’s right-wing coalition believes the bridge is key to boosting the economy in the country’s poorer south. However, there are doubts about their structural viability in the seismic area between Messina and Calabria, due to the environmental impact and due to the high cost.
Construction could start as early as 2024
The project, last considered in 2011, would be “adapted to new technical, safety and environmental standards,” Salvini assured. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (86), whose government had strongly supported the project in the 2000s and whose Forza Italia party is now part of the governing coalition, said on Thursday that such a structure would “link Sicily not only to Calabria, but to Italy and connect all of Europe.” According to Berlusconi, construction could start as early as mid-2024.
Currently, the only way to get from the island to the mainland is by ferry or plane. Proponents of the plan claim that the bridge, equipped with rails, could reduce pollution and save time in transporting people and goods. However, environmentalists reject the plans and favor electrification of the region’s existing train network. (AFP/dzc)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
