Italy’s long-discussed plan to construct a bridge linking the mainland to the island of Sicily may finally be realized, with construction potentially starting as early as this summer. Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini announced on Monday that preparations are moving forward rapidly and that the government is determined to prevent organized crime from infiltrating the project. The endeavor, estimated at €13.5 billion ($15.2 billion), has been framed as a vital step in addressing the economic imbalance between Italy’s wealthy north and its underdeveloped southern regions.
The bridge has been debated for decades, symbolizing both hope for regional development and concern over corruption and waste. Initial efforts to bring the project to life were scrapped in 2013 when the entity responsible for overseeing its construction was dissolved amid austerity measures and rising public debt. However, Salvini, who also leads the League party, has made reviving the bridge a top priority. Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, the plan has received renewed financial and political backing.
At a press conference, Salvini said, “If we are not just diligent but also a bit fortunate, summer 2025 is when physical work could truly begin.” The head of the newly reformed bridge authority, Pietro Ciucci, emphasized that a key hurdle remains: securing final approval from the strategic infrastructure oversight committee. He expressed confidence that a formal request would be submitted by the end of June.
The proposed structure, to be built by a consortium led by Italian construction giant Webuild, would span 3.6 kilometers (about 2.2 miles), with a central suspension segment of 3.3 kilometers, making it one of the longest of its kind in the world. It aims to link Sicily with the Calabria region across the Strait of Messina. Advocates argue that the bridge would revolutionize regional transportation, eliminating reliance on ferries and significantly enhancing connectivity for both road and rail traffic.
Despite these ambitions, the project remains highly contentious. Critics raise valid concerns about the environmental impact, the seismic activity in the area, and the potential misuse of public funds. Most notably, fears persist that mafia organizations such as the Cosa Nostra and 'Ndrangheta—both with deep roots in Sicily and Calabria—could exploit the construction phase to launder money or secure lucrative contracts. Salvini responded firmly, stating that abandoning infrastructure projects in regions with mafia presence would mean “surrendering the state to organized crime.”
To address these concerns, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi revealed that a centralized anti-mafia task force would be assigned to monitor all companies involved in the project. Special attention will be given to areas particularly vulnerable to criminal infiltration, including waste disposal and materials management. The government insists that with proper oversight and enforcement, the Sicily bridge can serve as a symbol of progress rather than corruption, marking a new chapter in Italy’s development efforts.