Groundbreaking changes made to the design of the longest suspension bridge, which has been in development for 2,000 years, will bring an ancient Roman vision to life.

ITALY is on track to accomplish an extraordinary engineering achievement with the development of the world’s longest suspension bridge, a vision that has persisted for more than 2,000 years.

The ambitious project plans to connect Sicily to mainland Italy by the early 2030s, with construction sites expected to open by the end of this year.

Upon completion, the bridge will extend 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles), exceeding the length of Turkey’s Çanakkale Bridge to become the longest single-span suspension bridge globally.

The overall price tag for this massive endeavor is projected to reach a staggering £12 billion (€13.5 billion), and the European Union has agreed to cover half of the executive design expenses for rail infrastructure, which amounts to approximately £20 million.

The Italian government has vowed to manage costs carefully, including a safeguard clause that allows the cancellation of works if expenses exceed forecasts by 50 per cent.

The idea of linking Sicily to the Italian mainland dates back to ancient Rome, when Consul Metellus supposedly connected barrels and boats to transport war elephants across the strait in 252 BCE.

Since then, various attempts have been proposed but stalled, including recent efforts in 2009, which were abandoned in 2013.

Now, under the leadership of Italy’s right-wing government and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini, the plan is back on track.

“The bridge will bring work, wealth, beauty, and will save tons of CO2 in the air, making it one of the greenest bridges in the world,” Salvini said.

The government has also emphasized the bridge’s potential to reduce Mafia influence in the region by creating jobs and economic opportunities.

But the Strait of Messina — linking the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas — poses significant engineering and environmental challenges.

Known for its strong currents and seismic activity, the area was the site of a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 1908, which killed over 100,000 people.

Despite this, the proposed design claims to withstand earthquakes up to 7.5 magnitude and winds of 300 km/h (186 mph).

The bridge will feature three vehicle lanes in each direction, as well as railway lines to boost transport efficiency.

Officials estimate the project will create over 100,000 jobs and significantly ease congestion on the region’s busy ferry systems.

Cargo arriving in Sicily could also be transferred directly to trains, potentially speeding up trade routes between southern Italy and northern Europe.

While the road to Sicily remains a symbolic bridge for now, the current government insists this project will lay “the first stone” in turning a Roman dream into reality.

“The transshipment of ferries costs more each year than building the bridge,” Salvini claims, pointing to the long-term economic benefits.

If construction proceeds as planned, the Strait of Messina bridge could be operational by 2032, transforming connectivity and realising a vision that has endured through centuries of dreams and delays.