Italy to start the construction of the longest suspension bridge in the world

The construction of the suspension bridge connecting Sicily and mainland Italy, which has been delayed for nearly a decade, might finally start this year after the recent approval of the design provided by the original contractor.

The project involves constructing the longest bridge with a single span worldwide. It is planned to have an overall length of 3,660m, with the suspended span of 3,300m. The two towers, that support the deck, will be 399m tall while a navigation channel that is 600m wide will be offered.

The proposed bridge will have three lanes for vehicles in each direction, along with a central rail lane. The bridge would have to be able to resist winds of up to 128km/h, and would have to be stable in earthquakes up to 7.1 magnitude.

The Italian government’s approval was signed by Matteo Salvini, the infrastructure minister, who confirmed that the intention is to open the construction sites by 2024 and open the bridge to road and rail traffic in 2032.

Moreover, more than 4,300 workers would be employed on the project for seven years, with a peak of 7,000. The estimated cost of the bridge is around $5 billion, but a condition that is included in the final project provides the option to cancel the project if the costs exceed the forecasts by 50%.

The recently approved design for the Massina Bridge dates back to 2011, with some modifications, and is now undergoing review. The constructor company aims to receive approval from the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development by the middle of the year.