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'We'll use civil disobedience' - Italy's $15bn Strait of Messina bridge project faces backlash as thousands protest

'We'll use civil disobedience' - Italy's $15bn Strait of Messina bridge project faces backlash as thousands protest

"The Italian town of Messina saw thousands of protesters take to the streets on Saturday against a government plan to build the world’s largest suspension bridge between Sicily and the mainland. Footage shows a sea of flags and banners as residents filled the streets, chanting ‘No Bridge’ in their latest efforts to prevent the government from going through with the approved $15.5 billion infrastructure project. “The Strait is non-negotiable,” said a protester opposing the government's decision. “And now they’ve drafted a bill that could be used to stop anyone who opposes the project, even if we protest peacefully and non-violently, and they’d throw us in jail. We will use civil disobedience. I’m saying it in advance,” he warned. Residents say they are against the proposed Strait of Messina Bridge project over its scale, as well as the threat posed by earthquakes, environmental effects, and potential interference by organised crime groups. “I believe that people with common sense can see that the bridge is something that doesn’t solve the real problems of those who live in these areas. So the priorities lie elsewhere. It’s not just an ideological ‘no’ — I'm saying no because something else is needed in order to live, and to live in the way that the people of these territories deserve to live,” explained one. The proposed bridge would span nearly 3.7km with a suspended section of 3.3km. It would surpass Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge by 1,277 metres to become the longest suspension bridge in the world. Preliminary work could begin in February, subject to approval from Italy’s Court of Audit. During a hearing on 29 October, the judges rejected the plan, questioning whether the 2005 tender remained valid and pointing to cost discrepancies and if it complied with EU competition rules. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the ruling “intolerable interference” and vowed to proceed, amid tensions with the judiciary as her government seeks reforms. The setback has revived debate about past cost overruns that halted the project in 2012. The government says the bridge would cut ferry crossing times from up to 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion planned between 2032 and 2033."

'We'll use civil disobedience' - Italy's $15bn Strait of Messina bridge project faces backlash as thousands protest

'We'll use civil disobedience' - Italy's $15bn Strait of Messina bridge project faces backlash as thousands protest

"The Italian town of Messina saw thousands of protesters take to the streets on Saturday against a government plan to build the world’s largest suspension bridge between Sicily and the mainland. Footage shows a sea of flags and banners as residents filled the streets, chanting ‘No Bridge’ in their latest efforts to prevent the government from going through with the approved $15.5 billion infrastructure project. “The Strait is non-negotiable,” said a protester opposing the government's decision. “And now they’ve drafted a bill that could be used to stop anyone who opposes the project, even if we protest peacefully and non-violently, and they’d throw us in jail. We will use civil disobedience. I’m saying it in advance,” he warned. Residents say they are against the proposed Strait of Messina Bridge project over its scale, as well as the threat posed by earthquakes, environmental effects, and potential interference by organised crime groups. “I believe that people with common sense can see that the bridge is something that doesn’t solve the real problems of those who live in these areas. So the priorities lie elsewhere. It’s not just an ideological ‘no’ — I'm saying no because something else is needed in order to live, and to live in the way that the people of these territories deserve to live,” explained one. The proposed bridge would span nearly 3.7km with a suspended section of 3.3km. It would surpass Turkey’s Canakkale Bridge by 1,277 metres to become the longest suspension bridge in the world. Preliminary work could begin in February, subject to approval from Italy’s Court of Audit. During a hearing on 29 October, the judges rejected the plan, questioning whether the 2005 tender remained valid and pointing to cost discrepancies and if it complied with EU competition rules. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the ruling “intolerable interference” and vowed to proceed, amid tensions with the judiciary as her government seeks reforms. The setback has revived debate about past cost overruns that halted the project in 2012. The government says the bridge would cut ferry crossing times from up to 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion planned between 2032 and 2033."