Thousands of people protested against the construction of a bridge connecting Sicily with mainland Italy
On Saturday, approximately 10,000 people gathered in the city of Messina, Sicily, to express their opposition to the planned construction of a bridge across the Strait of Messina, which is intended to connect Sicily with mainland Italy. The demonstrators carried banners reading “No Ponte” (No Bridge) and chanted slogans against the project.
The Italian government has approved the construction of the bridge, worth €13.5 billion, with preparatory work scheduled to begin in late summer and construction itself in 2026. According to Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, the project will contribute to the development of southern Italy and create up to 120,000 jobs.
However, opponents of the construction point to several problems. They warn of the risk of earthquakes in the area, the negative impact on the environment, the possibility of the project being misused by the mafia, and the need to expropriate the property of approximately 500 families. Critics also demand stricter anti-corruption measures and thorough supervision of the project’s implementation.
The bridge would be the longest suspension structure in the world, with a length of over 3.7 kilometers and a suspension span of 3.3 kilometers. The connection between Sicily and mainland Italy would be reduced from more than 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car and 2.5 hours by train. The project is also considered strategic from a defense standpoint, as it would allow for the rapid movement of military units between the two parts of the country. Despite these arguments, public opposition remains strong. Demonstrations in Messina have shown that many Sicilians fear the negative consequences of the bridge’s construction and are calling for a reevaluation of this ambitious project.
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