Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
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An Italian court ruled against the Sicily bridge project due to EU rule violations, but the government plans to proceed, citing economic benefits.
By Angelo Amante
ROME (Reuters) -An Italian court has ruled that plans for the world's largest suspension bridge between mainland Italy and the island of Sicily would break EU environmental and tender rules, but the government said it would not give up on the flagship project.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government says the intended 3,666-metre bridge over the Strait of Messina - surpassing one in Turkey - would bring prosperity to traditionally poorer regions and also aid movement of NATO alliance troops.
But in a 33-page ruling published late on Thursday, the Court of Auditors said the government failed to justify going against environmental concerns for the impact on coastal and marine areas on the island and the Calabria region.
The proposed bridge has been a matter of national debate for half a century, with supporters touting economic benefits and critics citing wasteful expenditure and environmental damage in an area prone to earthquakes.
"The assumptions regarding the various 'reasons of public interest' are not validated by technical bodies and are not supported by adequate documentation," the ruling said of the 13.5 billion euros ($15.65 billion) project.
COSTS CONCERNS
The judges also noted that uncertainty over costs and changes in financing compared to an original 2005 contract - more than three times cheaper - may require a new tender to ensure European rules for bidders are respected.
The Eurolink consortium provisionally selected to build the bridge is led by Italy's Webuild and also includes Spanish group Sacyr, and Japan's IHI.
The government said it would review the ruling carefully and vowed to pursue the project, a priority for Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini who leads the far-right League party.
"The government is convinced these issues have ample room for clarification before the Court itself," its statement said.
The consortium reaffirmed "full confidence" that the government would address all objections raised.
If they fail to convince the court, Meloni and Salvini may seek a cabinet vote to override its objections, but that could trigger legal and constitutional challenges.
($1 = 0.8626 euros)
(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. This design allows for long spans and is often used in large structures.
EU environmental rules are regulations set by the European Union to protect the environment. They cover various aspects, including air and water quality, waste management, and biodiversity.
Public interest refers to the welfare or well-being of the general public. In infrastructure projects, it involves assessing how the project benefits society, including economic and environmental impacts.
A tender process is a formalized method of inviting bids for large projects, where companies submit proposals to undertake work. It ensures transparency and competition in awarding contracts.
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, may be involved in infrastructure projects that enhance military mobility and readiness, particularly in strategic locations important for defense operations.
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