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Happened as dated, per the source[1]: "approved the final project for a permanent connection between Sicily and Calabria".- Groundbreaking
- Aug 6, 202590% CONFIDENCEsource
Messina Strait Bridge Wins Final Design Approval
Italy's government gave final approval to build a suspension bridge across the Strait of Messina, reviving a project that had stalled for over 50 years.
Construction research — October 24, 2026
The August 6, 2025 Messina pin represents final-design approval, so Proposed describes that historical pre-construction milestone. The CIPESS record states EUR13.532 billion for the complete bridge and associated road/rail connections, distinct from the Eurolink contract alone. Initial works were conditional on the approval becoming effective. The company’s 2025 accounts later record refusal of Court of Auditors registration; the approval is not represented as proof that physical bridge work began.
- CIPESS — Esito della seduta del 6 agosto 2025: Il costo dell’opera è di 13,532 miliardi di euro[5]
- PONTE STRETTO: CON EFFICACIA DELIBERA CIPESS PARTONO LE PRIME OPERE: Con l’efficacia della delibera CIPESS saranno avviati i primi lavori[6]
- Stretto di Messina S.p.A. — Bilancio d’esercizio al 31 dicembre 2025: ricusato il visto di registrazione della Delibera CIPESS n. 41 del 6 agosto 2025[2]
Earlier pin evidence
- On 6 August 2025 Italy's CIPESS, chaired by PM Giorgia Meloni, approved the final project for the Strait of Messina bridge, costed at EUR 13.532 billion and fully publicly funded[4]
- The link was provided for in a 1971 regulation and relaunched by the government in 2022[4]
- It would be the world's longest single-span bridge: a 3,300 m central span, one kilometre longer than the Canakkale Bridge, 399 m steel towers, three road lanes each way and two rail lines[3][4]
- Eurolink, led by Webuild with Sacyr, IHI, Condotte and Itinera, signed a EUR 10.6 billion contract addendum on the same day; designer is COWI[3]
- About 40 km of connecting road and rail works (80% in tunnels) are included, with the bridge designed for seismic activity and extreme winds[3][4]
Cost €13.5B (≈$14.7B)