Verdens lengste hengebro

The Messina Strait International Bridge is set to be the world's longest suspension bridge, connecting the island of Sicily with the Calabria region on mainland Italy. The bridge will span 3,660 meters with a main span of 3,300 meters and will feature both roadways and railway tracks. The bridge will be elevated approximately 74 meters above sea level and designed to withstand strong winds and potential earthquake activity, acknowledging the historical seismic risks in the region, notably the devastating 1908 earthquake.

Offisielt godkjent i 2023

The project, which has been in planning stages since Roman times, was officially approved by the Italian government in 2023 under the leadership of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. The construction contract for the bridge project was originally awarded to Salini Impreglio, now known as WeBuild S.p.A, in 2006. The project stalled due to a change in government but has been revitalized under the current administration, moving forward with an officially approved design.

Byggebudsjett på 11,25 mrd. euro

WeBuild S.p.A is tasked with executing this monumental engineering feat, leveraging its extensive experience from previous large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the Nykirke-Barkåker railway stretch in Norway and the Sotrasambandet project. The bridge itself is estimated to cost 4.5 billion euros, with additional infrastructure costs bringing the total project budget to approximately 11.25 billion euros.

Risikoer og utfordringer

There are notable challenges and risks associated with the project, including threats from organized crime and the substantial earthquake risk in the region. The innovative engineering design addresses these concerns, although the project's final approval and commencement are still contingent on overcoming these and other potential logistical and environmental hurdles.