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.
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