Thousands of people marched in Sicily on Saturday to voice their opposition to a proposed government plan to build a bridge connecting the Italian mainland to the Mediterranean island. The bridge, which would be the world’s longest single-span bridge, has sparked intense debate over its potential impact on the environment, earthquake risks, and mafia interference.
Approximately 10,000 demonstrators gathered in the Sicilian city of Messina to stage their opposition to the 13.5-billion-euro ($15.7 billion) infrastructure project. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, a key proponent of the project, called it “the biggest infrastructure project in the West”. According to Salvini, the bridge would create up to 120,000 jobs annually and stimulate economic growth in southern Italy, with billions invested in surrounding road and infrastructure improvements.
However, critics are unconvinced, citing concerns over the project’s scale, potential environmental damage, and the displacement of around 500 families. “The Strait of Messina can’t be touched,” protesters shouted as they marched in Messina, carrying banners that read “No Ponte” (No Bridge). Mariolina De Francesco, a 75-year-old resident of Messina, expressed her opposition, saying, “They could offer me three times the value of my house, but that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the landscape. They must not touch the Strait of Messina”.
The proposed bridge would span nearly 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) with a suspended section of 3.3 kilometers (more than 2 miles), surpassing Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge to become the longest suspension bridge in the world. Preliminary work could begin in late September or early October, pending approval from Italy’s Court of Audit, with full construction scheduled to start in 2026 and completion planned between 2032 and 2033.
Salvini argues that the bridge would not only boost economic growth but also support Italy’s commitment to raise defense spending to 5% of its gross domestic product (GDP), as targeted by NATO. Italy claims the bridge would form a strategic corridor for rapid troop movements and equipment deployment, qualifying it as “security-enhancing infrastructure”. However, environmental groups have lodged complaints with the European Union, citing concerns that the project would affect migratory birds.
The Italian president has insisted that the project remain subject to anti-mafia legislation that applies to all large-scale infrastructure projects. Salvini pledged that keeping organized crime out of the project was a top priority. Despite these assurances, opponents remain skeptical, with some vowing to take legal action to block the project.