The Italian Court of Auditors on the 29th of October rejected the government’s plan to build a bridge from the Italian mainland to Sicily that has been under discussion for more than half a century, Politico reports.
It is a major blow to one of Rome’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, the cost of which was partly planned to be included in defense costs. The court’s decision has now halted efforts to build the 13.5 billion euro bridge across the Strait of Messina. The full text of the decision will be available within a month.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the court’s decision, saying it exceeded the court’s mandate. Meloni insists her government has answered all the technical questions asked by the court.
Intended to be the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge, the Strait of Messina project has been proposed and canceled several times over the past five decades. The project is considered controversial, given the seismic activity of the area. There are also doubts about its economic viability, environmental impact and various legal issues, including land acquisition at construction sites.
The court’s decision again casts doubt on the project.
The Meloni government now faces a stark choice: accept the court’s decision and review the project, or appeal the decision and request a temporary permit. The second option means that the government will be fully responsible for the project and any legal consequences.
If built, the bridge will connect the toe of Italy’s “boot” with the northeastern corner of Sicily. Italy’s Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said the court’s decision was a serious blow to the country, adding that it was a political decision rather than a well-considered technical assessment. Salvini, who once opposed the bridge, is now one of the project’s most ardent defenders. He said the project also has European support and would create thousands of jobs. The minister said the government is ready to take all possible steps to get the work started.
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