New £12.1billion bridge to connect mainland Italy to its biggest island – and will be the longest of its kind
THE world’s longest suspension bridge has finally been given the go-ahead – linking Italy to its biggest island.
First announced back in the early 2000s, the €14.6billion (£12.1billion) bridge would join the mainland to Sicily.
A contract was given for the bridge back in 2009, only for the plans to be scrapped in 2013.
But it has finally been given the go-ahead, with construction to start this year.
The Società Stretto di Messina and the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency of the European Commission (CINEA9) – the construction company behind the bridge – has signed a new funding proposal.
Around €25million of the infrastructure will be covered by the EU – 50 per cent of the executive design costs.
The bridge was initally estimated to cost €10billion, although a forecast conducted by the Treasury’s Economic and Financial Document (DEF) said it would be closer to €14.6billion.
This includes €13.5billion for the bridge itself and another €1.1billion for better rail-links between Sicily and the south of Italy.
It hopes to open until in the 2030s, with no confirmed date.
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s infrastructure minister said it had “always been one of his goals” to build the bridge.
Currently, travellers have to fly to the island, or get a ferry, taking anything between 20 minutes to 24 hours.
But the new bridge would have both road and rail links, stretching 3km (1.8 miles) long.
There would be three vehicle lanes going in each direction, with just two used by the public and one would be for emergency situation.
As many as 6,000 cars and trucks could use the bridge every hour.
And train line would run throughout the middle, with as many as 200 a day.
The bridge project has faced both criticism and support.
Critics of the project fear it is badly placed, being in Italy‘s earthquake zone as well as concerns over the migration of birds between Africa and Europe.
However, supporters of the bridge say it would help the country’s struggling economy, especially in the south.
It’s not the only record-breaking attraction being built.
The world’s biggest airport hopes to open by 2030, with 120million passengers a year.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will have a six runways with international flights.
Launching next year is the world’s biggest cruise ships, dubbed a “theme park at sea”.
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas will launch in summer 2025.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
And you can find the world’s largest train station in New York- with Grand Central Terminal having 80 stores inside.
Want to stay at the world’s biggest hotel? You’ll have to head to Malaysia.