CEO Ciucci: “The purpose of the Agreement is to define and regulate the commitments and roles of all parties in advance, in order to optimise the construction schedule for the Bridge”. Signatories: the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, Sicily Regional Authority, Calabria Regional Authority, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), ANAS and Stretto di Messina.

Rome, 16 July 2025 – A Programme Agreement was signed today between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, Sicily Regional Authority, Calabria Regional Authority, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), ANAS and Stretto di Messina, as provided for under Legislative Decree 35/2023. The Agreement sets out the technical and financial commitments of the signatories engaged in the construction and operation of the Strait of Messina Bridge and the related works. These include definition of the preparatory and related works for which the Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and ANAS are responsible, and the related implementation methods to be applied in order to optimise coordination and synchronisation of the project construction works.  

“The new Programme Agreement,” said Stretto di Messina CEO Pietro Ciucci, “is an further important step in the project delivery process, in anticipation of approval by CIPESS. The purpose of the Agreement is to define and regulate the commitments and roles of all parties in advance, in order to optimise the construction time of the Bridge and its connections, thus guaranteeing a fully functional stable transport link between the two shores. Indeed, the Bridge is a key piece in Italy’s road and rail mobility jigsaw. The document signed today bears witness to the spirit of collaboration and cooperation shown by the all the parties involved: the Government, Sicily Regional Authority, Calabria Regional Authority and the major infrastructure operators, RFI and ANAS”.

In particular:

• the preparatory and related works ANAS is responsible for regard:

1. the handover to Stretto di Messina, following CIPESS’s decision, of the disused Villa San Giovanni East service area;
2. the relocation of the Villa San Giovanni West service area by Stretto di Messina;
3. Stretto di Messina will also develop suitable design solutions, aimed at keeping the existing Villa San Giovanni East service area open;
4. consent for the construction of a motorway crossing between the two former service areas at Villa San Giovanni to enable the site to operate.

The cost of the works to be carried out by Stretto di Messina, regarding the Villa San Giovanni East and West service areas, are already included in the overall cost of the project.

• the preparatory and related works RFI is responsible for regard:

1. completion, as part of the construction of the HS/HC Battipaglia – Reggio Calabria line, of the Buonabitacolo-Praia lot and the Gioia Tauro- Reggio Calabria lot;
2. construction, by 2032, of a connection between the Stretto di Messina site and the existing Battipaglia-Reggio Calabria line, consisting of the branches connecting the railway line that goes to Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria;
3. construction, by 2032, of branch lines connecting the Santa Cecilia tunnel and the Messina-Catania line;
4. construction of the new Messina Gazzi station, after reaching agreement with the local authorities on the reorganisation of Messina Central station;
5. Stretto di Messina is committed to building metro stops in Papardo, Annunziata and Europa, so that the new railway infrastructure can also be used as a metro system;
6. Stretto di Messina will provide screening for the new Cannitello branch line;
7. Stretto di Messina will also complete the redevelopment of the Villa San Giovanni seafront.

Once again, the costs of Stretto di Messina’s works are already included in the overall cost of the project.

As in the previous one, the new Programme Agreement sets out the signatories’ responsibilities after the bridge has come into operation.
In particular, RFI will be in charge of routine and non-routine maintenance of the railway component of the project.

Lastly, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is committed to taking any steps necessary to enable:

1. construction of the second tunnel and adaptation of the existing one, as part of the Giostra-Annunziata motorway link;
2. construction of the connection between the new Curcuraci-Fiumara Guardia junction and the Straits Panoramic Road.