Messina Bridge decree becomes law

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 24 - A decree on building the world's longest suspension bridge across the Messina Strait between Sicily and Calabria became law as the Senate gave it final approval Wednesday by 103 votes to 49 with three abstentions.
    Centre-right benches erupted into applause.
    Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, who says the bridge should become operational by 2032 and is the project's main sponsor, was exultant.
    The bridge will be "the pride of Italians in the world," Transport and Infrastructure Minister Salvini told the Senate as it discussed the decree setting up the long-awaited and often put off scheme.
    Stressing that the ambitious project would create 100,000 jobs and would "give meaning to all the other investments", Salvini said that on this and other issues, "the Italians have chosen a can-do government".
    For those still doubting whether it can finally be achieved after years of on-off-on plans, the rightwing League party leader referred his colleagues to President Sergio Mattarella, saying "for doubts and remarks, turn to (Mattarella) who has all the elements of guarantee and superiority and who can decide what can be done and what cannot be done".
    The project has been considered by many previous governments but has never moved beyond the planning stage due to environmental, seismic and mafia infiltration concerns and the massive price tag.
    Premier Giorgia Meloni's government, however, approved the decree paving the way for construction in March.
    Transport and Infrastructure Undersecretary Edoardo Rixi has said that the government estimates that the bridge will cost 13.5 billion euros.
    He told a joint session of the Lower House's transport and environment committees that this was up from a forecast of 8.5 billion in 2011 regarding the same project. (ANSA).