The Italian government has given final approval for the construction of what would be the world’s longest single-span bridge, connecting Sicily to the mainland, a decision that immediately sets the stage for a potential legal battle.
The colossal project, spanning the Strait of Messina, was formally sanctioned by the prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government on Wednesday, with €13.5bn (£11.7bn) earmarked for its development. This ambitious undertaking, first conceived by the ancient Romans, has been under discussion for more than 50 years but now faces the prospect of further delays.
