{"id":9071,"date":"2025-10-03T23:08:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T21:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pontedimessina.it\/storia-del-ponte-di-messina\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T20:16:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T18:16:38","slug":"history-of-the-messina-bridge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pontedimessina.it\/en\/history-of-the-messina-bridge\/","title":{"rendered":"History of the Messina Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Messina Bridge<\/h4>\n

A Record-Breaking Story<\/h2>\n

The desire to unite Sicily and Calabria with permanent infrastructure dates back to Roman times. Later, in the nineteenth century, visionary engineers and politicians envisioned the connection as a symbol of progress and national unity, initiating the first studies. Since then, the idea of a permanent link has persisted through generations, and today it is poised to become reality, carrying an important historical legacy.<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1463499505870{margin-left: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]

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\"Ponte<\/a><\/div>[vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1758828629440{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”30px”]

Historical Milestones<\/h2>

Messina Bridge<\/p>

<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1759525991586{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The idea of a bridge over the Strait officially emerged in the nineteenth century, when Italian unification made the issue of connections with Sicily urgent. As early as 1870, the first design concepts were proposed, but only in the twentieth century did structured studies begin. In the 1960s and 1970s the issue resurfaced strongly, tied to the economic development of the South.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1759526037218{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]In 1981, Stretto di Messina S.p.A. was established<\/strong>, tasked with developing the project. In subsequent years, preliminary studies, feasibility models, and the final project were prepared, which in 2013 was suspended by the Monti government. In 2023, the Meloni government reactivated the company<\/strong> and launched the process to complete the work by 2032.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1759526052119{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #EEEEEE !important;}”]The history of the Messina Bridge is therefore a path made of visions, difficulties, and new beginnings, which today converges in a synthesis: turning a centuries-old dream into one of the most iconic infrastructures of the 21st century.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1757189712047{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]

IN DETAIL<\/h2>

Messina Bridge<\/p>

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2025<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

FIRST FEASIBILITY STUDIES<\/h3>\n

On August 6, 2025<\/strong>, the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS<\/strong>) approved the definitive project for the Messina Strait Bridge<\/strong>. With the approval of this resolution, which declares the public utility of the work, the procedures for the executive design were initiated, and construction is expected to begin by the end of 2025 with the “Early Works”.\u00a0 DISCOVER +<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2025<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

CONTRACT SIGNED WITH EUROLINK<\/h3>\n

On August 5, 2025<\/strong>, the contract for the construction of the Messina Strait Bridge was signed<\/span>\u00a0between Stretto di Messina S.p.A.<\/strong> and the Eurolink<\/strong> consortium.\u00a0<\/span>The agreement, signed just before the approval of the bridge’s definitive project by CIPESS on August 6, 2025, concerns the start of construction activities for the Messina Strait Bridge and its ancillary works, for a total value of 10.6 billion.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2025<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

PROGRAM AGREEMENT SIGNED<\/h3>\n

On July 16, 2025<\/strong>, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, a program agreement was signed concerning preparatory and functional works<\/strong> for the Messina Strait Bridge.\u00a0<\/span>The agreement was signed with the participation of ministers, regional presidents, and CEOs of the involved entities, including Stretto di Messina S.p.A.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2013<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

CONSTRUCTION SITES OPENING<\/h3>\n

On December 23, 2009, announced in mid-October by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Altero Matteoli, the first construction sites opened for preparatory activities related to the realization of the work and the area’s road system.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2009<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

CONSTRUCTION SITES OPENING<\/h3>\n

On December 23, 2009, announced in mid-October by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Altero Matteoli, the first construction sites opened for preparatory activities related to the realization of the work and the area’s road system.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2009<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

CONFIRMATION OF STRATEGIC VALUE<\/h3>\n

In January, the Berlusconi Government confirmed the highly strategic value of the work and confirmed the start of construction for 2010. The bridge was supposed to open on January 1, 2017. The construction company Impregilo S.p.a. received a mandate from the Government, ANAS, and RFI to begin the executive design of the work as early as the first months of 2010, considered a preparatory activity for land expropriation and the opening of the actual construction sites.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2007<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

RISK OF CANCELLATION<\/h3>\n

The Prodi Government considered canceling the contract signed with Impregilo S.p.A.. The penalty of over 500 million euros pushed the then Minister of Transport Antonio Di Pietro to vote against his own majority and, with the votes of the opposition (center-right), avoid the contract termination, the merger of Stretto di Messina S.p.A. with ANAS, and the loss of decades of studies and designs, which are still valid today.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2006<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

CONTRACT SIGNED<\/h3>\n

March \u2013 Impregilo S.p.A. signs the contract for the definitive design, construction, and management of the bridge. Contracts are also signed with other supplier companies.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2005<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

EUROLINK WINS THE TENDER<\/h3>\n

October\u00a0\u2013<\/strong>\u00a0the Temporary Business Association Eurolink S.C.p.A., led by Impregilo S.p.A., wins the tender, called by the second Berlusconi Government, for the realization of the work. The ATI, as General Contractor, submitted the winning bid of 3.88 billion euros.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2003<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

PRELIMINARY PROJECT PRESENTED<\/h3>\n

The preliminary project and the corrected Environmental Impact Study necessary for the realization of the bridge are presented to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of the Environment and Land Protection.
\n<\/span>The project, in its final version, forms the basis for the tender for the realization of the work.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

100<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

EIA UPDATE TENDER ISSUED<\/h3>\n

The tender for updating the Environmental Impact Study of the work is issued. Stretto di Messina S.p.A. formulates a project partially different from the 1992 one.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2001<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

DECLARED STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE<\/h3>\n

The CIPE defines the work as a “strategic infrastructure” for the country.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

2000<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

FEASIBILITY DECLARED<\/h3>\n

The appointed Advisors deliver their reports on the project, defining it as feasible.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1999<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

INDEPENDENT ADVISORS IDENTIFIED<\/h3>\n

The CIPE identifies two independent advisors for the final evaluation of the bridge’s feasibility: Steinman Int. \u2013 Parson Group, tasked with defining the technical aspects, and a ATI (led by Price Waterhouse Coopers) tasked with examining the territorial, environmental, social, economic, and financial issues of the work.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1998<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

PARLIAMENT DECIDES TO REFER THE DOCUMENTS TO CIPE<\/h3>\n

The Chamber and the Senate extensively debate the advisability of building the Messina Bridge. Parliament decides to refer the preliminary project to CIPE (Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning) to evaluate its concrete realization.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1997<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

EXECUTIVE DESIGN APPROVAL<\/h3>\n

ANAS and FS express a new favorable opinion on the project. The Superior Council of Public Works, after the unanimous approval of the project, authorizes the study for the executive design of the Messina Bridge.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1995<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

TECHNICAL EXAMINATION OF PROJECT COMPLETED<\/h3>\n

First F.S. and then ANAS complete the technical examination of the Preliminary Project and express a generally favorable opinion. Further study of some technological aspects is requested.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1992<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

FINAL PRELIMINARY PROJECT AND EIA PRESENTED<\/h3>\n

During the first Berlusconi Government \u2013 Minister of Transport Publio Fiori \u2013 a new definitive preliminary project, more complete and detailed than the one presented in 1986, is presented. The project also includes detailed technical reports, cost estimates, execution timelines, and the environmental impact assessment.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1992<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

FINAL PRELIMINARY PROJECT AND EIA PRESENTED<\/h3>\n

During the first Berlusconi Government \u2013 Minister of Transport Publio Fiori \u2013 a new definitive preliminary project, more complete and detailed than the one presented in 1986, is presented. The project also includes detailed technical reports, cost estimates, execution timelines, and the environmental impact assessment.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1990<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

TWO PRELIMINARY PROJECTS PRESENTED<\/h3>\n

The “Stretto di Messina” Company presents two preliminary outline projects with two different solutions: a two-span suspension bridge and a single-span suspension bridge. The latter is the chosen solution due to the greater guarantees it offers.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

1992<\/span>
YEAR<\/h5><\/div>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

COMPETENT AUTHORITIES OPT FOR SINGLE SPAN<\/h3>\n

The Board of Directors of FS expresses a favorable opinion for the single-span suspension bridge. This option is shared by all involved competent Authorities including FS, the Superior Council of Public Works, and ANAS, for whom the crossing of the Strait of Messina can only occur via an aerial mode with a single span of 3300m. The solution offers safety, lower cost, reduced implementation time, and easy and economical maintenance.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator]