Italy’s government has approved the construction of what is tipped to become the world’s longest suspension bridge.
The long-delayed bridge would connect mainland Italy to the island of Sicily, which is currently only reachable via ferry.
It is believed the €13.5bn (£11.7bn) project, which became a priority for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government, will help develop the impoverished south of Italy.
The Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS) gave the final approval to the project at a meeting in Rome, the League party of deputy prime minister and transport minister Matteo Salvini said.
It will have a total length of 3.67km (2.3 miles) and a suspended span of 3.3km (2.05 miles) and have two towers, each made entirely of highly resistant steel, standing 399m tall.
That’s despite concerns over the environmental impacts and the threat of mafia interference.
There have also been concerns over such a bridge being built in an earthquake zone.
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The designers say the bridge’s roadway platform, which will sit 72m above the sea, can stand wind speeds of 292km/h (181mph).
The project has been awarded to a consortium led by WeBuild, an Italian infrastructure group, which initially won the bid to build the bridge in 2006 before the project was cancelled in 2013.
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According to the Messina Strait Company overseeing the project, Wednesday’s approval will allow the start of preliminary works, including archaeological and geological surveys.
The company said the bridge will be completed in 2032.
Preliminary work could begin later this summer with construction expected to start next year.
