Italy approves $15.5 billion for world’s longest suspension bridge from mainland to Sicily

MILAN (AP) — Italy cleared the best way Wednesday to construct the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in an enormous 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure undertaking that has been lengthy delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental influence and the spectre of mafia interference.

The Strait of Messina Bridge can be “the largest infrastructure undertaking within the West,” Transport Minister Matteo Salvini advised a information convention in Rome, after an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments accredited the undertaking.