Matteo Salvini, who heads the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, initially informed representatives of the foreign press about the plans for the construction of the planned suspension bridge between Italy and Sicily, which will begin its work in the summer of 2024.
He emphasized that the ten billion euro project is the largest public investment in Italy since the 1950s. He pointed out: It is a completely environmentally friendly and safe engineering work that will withstand the strong waves and winds that the Strait of Sicily witnesses, as well as possible earthquakes. According to previous news reports
Messina Bridge at 3,666 meters will be the longest suspension bridge in the world.
He noted that the “Italian shoe” connects the island of Sicily, According to the plans, 11 million people will cross the 3.6-kilometer-long bridge every year. He added that they are counting 230 trains per day and 6,000 vehicles per hour. As for the fee for using the bridge, according to Matteo Salvini, it will be less than the €40 per vehicle currently charged on ferries.
The Prime Minister confirmed that the construction of the bridge will create 100,000 job opportunities. With regard to investment costs, he indicated that the cost of the bridge is equivalent to what the former Italian government, led by the Five Star Movement, spends annually on the income paid to obtain citizenship.
Salvini stressed that, according to the plans, only companies that guarantee environmental protection and legal protection for workers, especially Italian and European companies, will be given the opportunity to participate in public procurement tenders related to the construction of the bridge. .
When asked if he was not afraid of the infiltration of organized crime, the League politician replied: They have the right antibodies to expel the mafia.
The minister emphasized that his ministry could use about sixty billion euros of EU funds earmarked for the post-pandemic reconstruction of Italy. He explained: They intend to use the entire amount, primarily for the development of infrastructure and the digital network, including the construction of railways and affordable homes.
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