Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Italy gives final approval for world's longest suspension bridge to
Sicily
Lying just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”, Sicily is the largest Mediterranean
island. It is rich in historical sites, including the Valley of the Temples,
Doric-style Greek temples, and Byzantine mosaics. A ferry service across the
Strait of Messina connects Messina, Sicily’s harbor city, and Reggio Calabria, the
toe of the Italian Peninsula. Since the narrowest point of the strait is only
around three kilometers, there have been discussions about building a bridge across
the strait. Supporters claim the benefits of boosting tourism to the island and
creating jobs, while opponents raise concerns over the mafia’s involvement and safety
because the area has an intense seismic record. Earlier this month, Italy’s administration
decided to build a 3.3km-span suspension bridge over the strait, the world’s
longest, with two railway lines in the middle and three lanes of traffic on
either side. Rome hopes to include the construction costs in its defence expenditures,
which are expected to amount to 5% of the nation’s GDP. Connecting two distinct
lands may spur the local economy, but it’ll also have an impact on local ecology,
environment, and heritage.
Read the article and learn about Rome’s attempt to connect Sicily to
its mainland.
