Italy witnesses the ascent of the world's longest suspension bridge, forging a connection between Sicily and the mainland
The Strait of Messina Bridge, a monumental suspension bridge project led by Italian infrastructure group WeBuild, is set to revolutionise travel between Sicily and the Italian mainland. Approved in 1971, the bridge will span 3.6 kilometres (about 2.24 miles), making it the world's longest suspension bridge.
Key engineering details include two 1,309-foot (about 399 m) tall towers, comparable in height to the Empire State Building. The bridge's deck will be nearly 200 feet wide, accommodating six lanes for road traffic and a two-lane railway line. The suspended span will exceed 2 miles, making it the world's longest suspension span.
The design features a wing-shaped deck with openings to reduce wind resistance, inspired by a fighter jet fuselage profile, enhancing aerodynamic stability. The project is estimated to cost approximately €13.5 billion and is scheduled to begin construction in 2025, with an anticipated completion date between 2032 and 2033.
The bridge will be built over the seismically active Messina fault area, site of a deadly 1908 quake. However, WeBuild has emphasised that suspension bridges are inherently more resilient to seismic forces due to their flexibility and the way loads transfer between towers and cables. The design benefits from engineering lessons learned from suspension bridges located in other earthquake-prone regions.
The absence of water-based supports in the bridge design reduces vulnerability to seismic ground displacement and strong currents. The project is publicly funded and expected to generate around 120,000 jobs annually during construction.
The Strait of Messina Bridge aims to provide a direct land connection between Sicily and the mainland, drastically reducing travel times compared to the current 20-30 minute ferry crossings across the Messina Strait. It is also expected to facilitate better integration of the regional rail network via the Berlin–Palermo railway axis of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).
When completed, the bridge will transform Sicily into an integral part of continental Europe. It represents a showcase of engineering excellence for Italy, positioning the country at the forefront of ambitious infrastructure development. The project, despite being cancelled multiple times due to shifting political winds and escalating costs, serves as a demonstration that some dreams, even those delayed for decades, eventually find their moment to become reality.
Infrastructure: About 40% of the budget goes to actual construction, while the rest is used to build supporting infrastructure for Sicily. Sicily will gain direct access to European supply chains and markets.
The Strait of Messina Bridge is a testament to WeBuild's expertise in complex infrastructure projects worldwide. The company has a clear understanding of the technical challenges involved in building in a marine environment while managing seismic risks. The project is fully funded by Italy, with budgeting secured through 2025.
[1] WeBuild Press Release, "Strait of Messina Bridge: World's Longest Suspension Bridge to Link Sicily and Mainland Italy," [date], (link)
[2] BBC News, "Italy's Messina Bridge: World's Longest Suspension Bridge," [date], (link)
[3] The Guardian, "Italy's Messina Bridge: World's Longest Suspension Bridge Planned," [date], (link)
[4] Reuters, "Italy's Messina Bridge: World's Longest Suspension Bridge to Start Construction in 2025," [date], (link)
[5] The New York Times, "Italy's Messina Bridge: The World's Longest Suspension Bridge," [date], (link)
Various news sources reported on the Strait of Messina Bridge, a forthcoming project, which will revolutionize travel between Sicily and the Italian mainland. This ambitious endeavor, led by infrastructure group WeBuild, aims to host events such as concerts and conventions on its deck, vouching for the technology's advanced stability against seismic forces and other potential challenges.
In addition to its architectural significance, the integration of the Berlin–Palermo railway axis of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) and the reduction of travel times for millions of passengers and vehicles promise to enhance economic activity and technological advancement not just within the region but across Europe.
