The world's longest suspension bridge is currently in Turkey, but a new record could be held if the government in Italy gets its way and the Messina Bridge project is completed by 2033 as planned. The colossal bridge, which would connect the mainland region of Calabria to Sicily, was given the green light last year and could be of serious interest to Brits traveling in Italy.
Project Approval and Cost
In 2025, the Italian government's plans to build the longest suspension bridge in the world were approved. However, the controversial Messina Bridge project, which would cost a staggering £11.7bn, faced a setback last November, meaning it was put on hold again. If the bridge ever gets built along the Strait of Messina, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni still intends, it would be a hugely ambitious infrastructure challenge that has been talked about in Italy for decades.
Benefits for British Tourists
The bridge would be particularly welcomed by Brits traveling in Italy because it would cut their journey to Sicily to just ten minutes, compared to taking the ferry, which can take a lot longer than the 30-minute crossing when factoring in the immense queuing at peak times. This would make Sicily more accessible and could boost tourism.
Technical Specifications and Economic Impact
The bridge would consist of two towers stretching 400 metres (1,300 feet) and span an incredible 3.3 km (2.05 miles). Three lanes of traffic would sit either side of two railway lines in the middle. Pietro Salini, chief executive of Webuild, the engineering group leading the project, said it would be "transformative for the whole country" and promised it would "stimulate growth, employment, and lawfulness across southern Italy." Transport minister Matteo Salvini stated that the goal was to have it built between 2032 and 2033, boasting that 120,000 jobs a year would be created, bringing economic growth to the poor regions of Sicily and Calabria.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite the potential benefits, the project has faced numerous challenges. One of the biggest reasons plans have been halted historically was concerns of mafia fraud, including worries about taxpayers' money being siphoned off by Sicilian and Calabrian gangsters. Other concerns have repeatedly been raised about environmental damage, cost, and safety. Given that the region is one of the most seismically active areas in the Mediterranean, designers promised the Strait of Messina Bridge would be able to withstand earthquakes.
Legal Setbacks
In November, yet another setback was reported after an Italian court ruled the bridge would go against EU environmental and tender rules. The Court of Auditors ruling concluded: "The assumptions regarding the various 'reasons of public interest' are not validated by technical bodies and are not supported by adequate documentation." However, the Italian government is refusing to give up and has vowed to review the ruling carefully and continue with its ambitions of making the bridge a reality.
Local Opposition
As well as still having to convince the Italian Court of Auditors and both national and EU environmental agencies, there would also be pushback from the 4,000 residents who live either side of the Strait. Their homes would be at risk of demolition, and this could mean legal challenges regarding having to abandon their properties.
Current World Record Holder
As it stands, the current world's longest suspension bridge is the 915 Canakkale Bridge in Turkey, which connects Asia to Europe and takes six minutes to cross. Construction across the passage of water (Dardanelles Strait) started in 2017, and it only became open to the public three years ago. Journey times have been cut by up to 93%, meaning 90-minute ferry trips can be avoided by using the bridge that starts in Gelibolu, Turkey, on the European side, to the Asian town of Lapseki.
