Bridge of Messina
The Legal Pillar
The construction contract of the Messina Bridge is the legal and operational cornerstone of the entire project.
Originally awarded in 2006 to the Eurolink Consortium, it was suspended in 2012 by the Monti government and reactivated in 2023 with the relaunch of Stretto di Messina S.p.A.
Following the approval of the definitive design, on August 6, 2025, a contract addendum was signed, updating timelines, conditions.
HIGHLIGHT
Bridge of Messina
IN DETAIL
Bridge of Messina
Construction Contract
Bridge of Messina
The construction contract for the Messina Bridge is the legal and operational cornerstone of the entire project.
Originally awarded in 2006 to the Eurolink Consortium, it was suspended in 2012 under the Monti government and later reinstated in 2023 with the relaunch of Stretto di Messina S.p.A. Following the approval of the definitive design, an addendum was signed on August 6, 2025, updating timelines, terms, and financial conditions for both the Concessionaire and the General Contractor.
Total contract value: €10.5 billion – Completion target: 2032
Origins and General Contractor Appointment
Bridge of Messina
In 2006, Stretto di Messina S.p.A. awarded Eurolink — led by Webuild (formerly Salini Impregilo) — the role of General Contractor for the bridge’s design and construction.
This contractual model, provided under Italy’s Public Procurement Code, assigns a single entity full responsibility for design, execution, and testing, ensuring faster timelines and streamlined management compared to traditional tenders.

Suspension and Reactivation
Bridge of Messina
In 2012, following the government’s suspension of the project, the contract with Eurolink was frozen. Stretto di Messina S.p.A. entered liquidation, and over €312 million in incurred costs were classified as “reversible assets” — public property even in case of permanent interruption.
The project was reinstated in 2023 under Decree-Law No. 35, which reactivated Stretto di Messina S.p.A. and confirmed the contract’s validity.
This decision allowed Italy to avoid launching a new international tender, as the original award was still legally effective.

The 2025 Contract Addendum
Bridge of Messina
After the CIPESS approval of the definitive design on August 6, 2025, Stretto di Messina S.p.A. and the Eurolink Consortium signed a contract addendum updating the original agreement.
The document revised technical and financial terms, accounting for elapsed time, regulatory changes, and new project requirements.
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Total contract value: approx. €10.5 billion
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Scope: design execution, construction of towers and main deck, suspension cables, safety and monitoring systems, and testing operations.
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Timeline: completion by 2032–2033

Key Features of the Contract
Bridge of Messina
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Uniqueness of the project: the General Contractor is responsible for building the world’s longest single-span suspension bridge, meeting the most advanced seismic and aerodynamic safety standards.
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Integrated responsibility: Eurolink directly manages the works and coordinates subcontractors and suppliers to ensure compliance with deadlines and budgets.
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Public oversight: Stretto di Messina S.p.A., as a state-owned company, maintains supervisory powers and final approval at each stage.
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Long-term framework: the contract covers the full realization cycle, ensuring continuity and accountability over a decade of construction.

Final Considerations
Bridge of Messina
The Messina Bridge construction contract is not a mere procurement document — it is the legal and operational backbone of one of the most ambitious public works in Italian history.
It guarantees procedural certainty, financial coverage, and transparent governance between public and private stakeholders.
With the 2025 addendum, Italy formally reactivated one of the largest infrastructure contracts ever signed, entrusting Eurolink, led by Webuild S.p.A., with the task of building the world’s longest suspension bridge — a structure destined to reshape mobility, economy, and connectivity across the Mediterranean.