Building the bridge’

To help Italy emerge from a long public works ‘slumber,’ prime minister Silvio Berlusconi recently announced that the Messina bridge construction will begin by year’s end. Once completed, the Messina bridge connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland would be the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring 3,690 meters. Costing 6.5 billion euro, it is designed to withstand the weight of 4,500 cars per hour and 200 trains per day. Its construction will create thousands of jobs and facilitate transport to and from Sicily. However, many have expressed concern over its safety and fear over potential mafia involvement in its construction and management.