A groundbreaking project to build the world’s longest suspension bridge between Sicily and the Italian mainland has been approved, marking a significant step in regional infrastructure development. The project, estimated to cost $15.5 billion, is set to commence construction in 2026 after a long and contentious history that saw it proposed in 1969, approved and canceled multiple times until its revival by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration in 2023.
The bridge, initially conceptualized as a connection between Sicily and the mainland, has roots in ancient history. Some believe it originated in Ancient Rome when the Romans attempted to transport 100 elephants captured during the Battle of Panormus in 250 BC. Others link its idea to Homer’s