Protesters Chant “No Ponte” at Colossal Infrastructure Plan
Approximately 10,000 citizens filled the Messina, Sicily streets on Saturday protesting the Italian government’s controversial plan for construction of the world’s longest single-span bridge connecting the mainland with Sicily.
The €13.5 billion ($15.7 billion) Strait of Messina Bridge project has been the subject of heated debate for decades. It made a significant advance this week after it was approved by a government investment committee. They refer to it as “the biggest infrastructure project in the West”, arguing it could generate 120,000 jobs annually and give southern Italy’s economy a shot in the arm.
But critics fear the project may harm the environment, destabilize communities, and even invite mafia involvement. The high-seismic area of the proposed site has also drawn earthquake safety fears.
Residents Fear Environmental Damage and Displacement
The protesters marched holding signs saying “No Ponte” (“No Bridge”) and chanting that the Strait of Messina should not be touched. It is personal for many.
“They could give me three times the value of my house, but that does not matter,” said 75-year-old Mariolina De Francesco, whose home sits near the site of a planned 399-meter-tall support tower. “What matters is the landscape. They must not touch the Strait of Messina. Our lawyers will take action, and we will stop them.”
The project would necessitate the expropriation of approximately 500 families, although Salvini maintains they will be paid. Environmental campaigners have also made official complaints to the European Union, citing threats to migratory bird habitats and sensitive ecosystems.
Engineering Wonder or Environmental Danger?
If finished, the bridge would be almost 3.7 km (2.3 miles) long with a 3.3 km suspended part, surpassing Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge by more than a kilometer to be the world’s longest suspension bridge.
Initial work would start later this year, with main construction in 2026 and completion between 2032 and 2033. It would cut travel time through the strait from 100 minutes by ferry to 10 minutes by road, and reduce rail times by 2.5 hours, the supporters argue.
The government further contends the bridge might be a strategic military corridor, supporting NATO’s goal for Italy to increase defense expenditure to 5% of GDP.
Yet, few are not sold. Opponents of the bridge contend that the threat including mafia infiltration and the destruction of the environment is greater than the reward. Italy’s president has reiterated that the project must be subject to strict anti-mafia legislation used on high-profile construction projects.
For the time being, Messina’s streets are filled with resistance. Whether the bridge ever spans the strait is in doubt, but the lines of confrontation are clear, jobs and speed against heritage and nature.
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