The protests in Italy erupted on a 15.5 billion dollar bridge from Sicily to the mainland

Rome – Thousands of people walked in the Sicily city of Missina on Saturday to protest the government’s plan Build a bridge that connects the Italian mainland to Sicily In a huge project worth $ 15.5 billion.

The demonstrators frankly oppose the Missina Bridge Strait project on a large scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the ghost of the mafia.

The idea of building a bridge was discussed to connect Sicily to the rest of Italy and for decades, but it was always late because of these concerns. However, the project took a big step forward when a government committee approved strategic public investments on the plan this week.

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, the main political supporter of the project, described it as “the largest infrastructure project in the West.”

Salvini cited studies that the project will create up to 120,000 jobs annually and help stimulate economic growth in southern Italy, economically late, where other billions are invested in the improvements to the surrounding roads and infrastructure.

The opponents are not convinced of these arguments. They are also angry that about 500 families should be spent in order to build the bridge.

“Missina’s Strait cannot be touched,” the demonstrators shouted at Missina. He carried many banners saying “No Ponte” (no bridge). The organizers estimated the size of the crowd 10,000 people.

The proposed bridge will extend approximately 2.2 miles with a suspended section of more than 2 miles. The Canaachel Bridge in Türkiye will exceed 4,189 feet to become the longest suspended bridge in the world.

Initial work can start early in late September or early October, pending the approval of the Auditing Court in Italy. The full construction is scheduled to start in 2026, with the completion of the targeting between 2032 and 2033.

Plans of a bridge have been approved and canceled several times since the Italian government first requested proposals for one in 1969. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revived the project in 2023.

With three car corridors in each direction surrounded by a double-track railway, the bridge will have the ability to carry 6000 cars per hour and 200 trains per day-which reduces time to cross the strait with the phrase from 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car. Salvini said that the trains will save 2/12 hours at the time of crossing.

The project can also support Italy’s commitment to raising defensive spending to 5 % of the GDP targeting NATO, as the government did He indicated that the bridge will be classified as related to defense.

Italy argues that the bridge will constitute a strategic corridor for the movements of fast forces and the deployment of equipment, which qualifies it as “security -enhanced infrastructure”.

However, environmental groups have submitted complaints with the European Union, noting that the project will affect migratory birds.

Italy’s president also insisted that the project remain subject to MAFIA control legislation that applies to all large -scale infrastructure projects. Salvini pledged that preserving organized crime outside the project was a top priority.