Italy Approves NATO-Funded Sicily Bridge Project, Aiming for Military and Economic Benefits
Italy’s government has approved a long-debated plan to construct a bridge linking Sicily with the mainland, which the government classifies as a NATO-related infrastructure investment to meet its bloc’s spending targets. The project, estimated to cost €13.5 billion, will span nearly 3.7 kilometers and include four traffic lanes and two railway tracks. The decision marks a significant step in Italy’s efforts to align with NATO’s defense spending requirements, which have been a point of contention for the country in recent years.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government revived the proposal in 2023, classifying it as a defense-related asset eligible to count toward NATO’s spending threshold. Members of the US-led bloc agreed that certain infrastructure investments could account for up to 1.5 percentage points of the bloc’s spending target of 5% of GDP. Rome argues that the bridge will serve as ‘fundamental infrastructure with respect to military mobility,’ given its proximity to NATO bases in southern Italy. The country’s transport minister, Matteo Salvini, has highlighted the project’s potential to accelerate regional economic growth.
Italy historically fell short of NATO’s previous 2% of GDP target for defense spending and is only expected to reach that mark this year. Meloni claimed in June that reaching the new 5% threshold would take up to a decade and called for revised EU fiscal rules to facilitate the country’s military buildup. The idea of building a bridge over the Strait of Messina dates back to at least the 1960s and has faced repeated delays due to concerns over seismic risks, environmental impact, and potential mafia infiltration.
Despite the government’s emphasis on national security and economic development, the project also faces criticism and opposition. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential impact on marine ecosystems, while some political opponents argue that the funds could be better allocated to social programs or other infrastructure projects. The Italian government maintains that the bridge is a necessary investment in both national defense and regional development, and its approval underscores Italy’s commitment to fulfilling its NATO obligations.