The history of the Strait of Messina Bridge project, from its origins to the present day, is quite complex: 

• 1968: Anas launches an international Competition of Ideas for the construction of a permanent road and rail link between Sicily and the mainland.
• 1971 Law 1158/71 establishes a government owned company responsible for the design, construction, and management of a permanent road and rail connection between Sicily and the mainland.
• 1981 Stretto di Messina is incorporated and, in 1985, a concession is signed for project development. Studies begin on various types of crossing: aerial (bridge), underwater (submerged tube), and subsea (underground tunnel). Upon completion, the single-span suspension bridge solution is selected.
• 1992 The suspension bridge design is completed and submitted to the State Railway company, Anas, and the Higher Council of Public Works, all of which provide favourable opinions. The “Messina Style” is born.
• 2001 The Strait of Messina Bridge is identified as one of three strategic infrastructure projects under the “Legge Obiettivo”.
• 2002 Stretto di Messina updates the Preliminary Design. 
• 2003 CIPE approves the Preliminary Design.
• 2006 Following international tenders, contracts are signed with the General Contractor, Project Management Consultant, Environmental Monitor, and Insurance Broker.
• 2006 In November, Law 286 stipulates that the Strait of Messina Bridge would no longer be considered a priority in the government’s program, deferring any decision on the project until further notice.
• 2008 In September, the CIPE reconfirms the public utility of the Bridge. The following month, Stretto di Messina issues a Start Order to the General Contractor, Project Management Consultant, and Environmental Monitor.
• 2011  The final design for the Strait of Messina Bridge. The Board of Directors of Stretto di Messina approves the final design for the Strait of Messina Bridgeand for 40 kilometres of road and rail connections.
• 2012  Work on the first task in preparation for construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge, the “Cannitello railway realignment” in Villa San Giovanni, ends in May.
• 2012 At the end of the year, the government decides to halt the project and put Stretto di Messina into liquidation.
• 2023 The first meeting of the new Board of Directors of Stretto di Messina is held, marking the restart of work on construction of the Bridge, in accordance with Law Decree 35.

Later developments and milestones are described at the page The Final Design for the Bridge – Stretto di Messina SpA.