A long-delayed and debated bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, allowing work to begin on what would be the world's longest suspension bridge, despite concerns over earthquakes, environmental impacts and the threat of mafia. A long-delayed and debated bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, allowing work to begin on what would be the world's longest suspension bridge, despite concerns over earthquakes, environmental impacts and the threat of mafia. A long-delayed and debated bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, allowing work to begin on what would be the world's longest suspension bridge, despite concerns over earthquakes, environmental impacts and the threat of mafia interference. An. 12 September 2025: The Messina Strait Bridge is a long-envisioned megaproject designed to link Sicily with mainland Italy, spanning the narrow strait that separates the island from Calabria. Planned as one of the world's longest suspension bridges, it is expected to transform regional connectivity. The Italian government has given the go-ahead for construction of the world's longest suspension bridge, linking the island of Sicily with the southern mainland, after years of delays and despite opposition from critics who question the wisdom of building such a long bridge in an earthquake zone. 6 billion) project to construct the world's longest suspension bridge, linking Sicily to the mainland. But after decades of failure, can this €13.