This digital rendering shows a bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily, a long-delayed 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) project, that an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments has approved, the Italian Transport Ministry said in a statement, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Webuild – Eurolink Image Library via AP)

MILAN (AP) — Italy cleared the way Wednesday to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.

The Strait of Messina Bridge will be “the biggest infrastructure project in the West,” Transport Minister Matt

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