In a significant setback for Italy’s right-wing government, the Court of Auditors has refused to approve the ambitious 13.5 billion euro Strait of Messina Bridge project, which aims to connect Sicily to the mainland. The court, responsible for financial oversight and public accounting, announced its decision in a concise statement on Wednesday evening, promising to provide detailed reasoning within 30 days. This move has sparked fierce criticism from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who labeled the ruling as an “intolerable intrusion” by magistrates and vowed to push forward with the project despite the setback. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, a key advocate for the bridge, accused the court of making a “political decision” rather than a technical one and pledged to explore all avenues to advance the plan. While the court’s decision does not outright block the project, it could significantly delay its approval, potentially requiring the government to seek a new vote to override the objections. The Strait of Messina Bridge, first proposed in 1969, has faced repeated approvals and cancellations over the decades. Meloni’s administration revived the project in 2023, marking the most progress it has ever achieved. However, the initiative has been mired in controversy, with debates over its massive scale, earthquake risks, environmental impact, and potential mafia involvement. Preliminary work was slated to begin this fall, with construction expected to start next year and completion targeted between 2032 and 2033. If built, the bridge would span nearly 3.7 kilometers, with a suspended section of 3.3 kilometers, surpassing Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge as the world’s longest.
Italian court rejects Sicily bridge project, dealing a blow to Meloni government
