Preparation for the construction of the bridge between Sicily and Italy is nearing completion

• The bridge project between Sicily and Italy has received funding of 13.5 billion euros.
• Critics consider the construction unsafe due to seismic activity.
• The completion of the bridge construction is scheduled for 2032.

The Italian government is ready to provide additional permits for the construction of the bridge, which connects Sicily with the mainland part of the country. This project, valued at 13.5 billion euros, has been in the works since the 1960s and aims to improve the development of southern Italy.

The bridge, planned to be 3.6 km long, is expected to be one of the longest in the world. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted it as a priority, and a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on economic planning will take place at 10:30 GMT.

The project will be implemented by the consortium Eurolink, which includes the Italian company Webuild, the Spanish Sacyr, and the Japanese IHI. After the committee's approval, preliminary work will begin, including archaeological studies.

However, the project faces criticism regarding its potential economic benefits, and there is significant opposition. Some community groups believe that construction in a seismically active zone is unsafe, while environmental organizations have submitted concerns to the European Union about possible ecological risks.

According to estimates, the bridge construction could create over 100,000 jobs, and its completion is scheduled for 2032.

Tags: Europe/Economy