THE TECHNICAL PLAN OF THE STRAIT OF MESSINA BRIDGE
The Strait of Messina Bridge stands over 72 meters above sea level and spans 600 meters at its widest point in the center of the Strait.
There will be no effect on shipping as the height of the Strait of Messina Bridge meets international standards.
The Strait of Messina Bridge will accommodate both road and rail traffic.
The single-span Strait of Messina Bridge has a record-breaking length.
The single-span Bridge over the Strait of Messina will hold several records for the size of its various components compared with bridges currently in operation.
One of the first activities undertaken during the project’s development phase was the identification of the site where the Strait of Messina Bridge will be built.
The decision to build a stable crossing of the Strait of Messina by means of a suspension bridge came after decades of study.
The three-span bridge solution, featuring piers in the sea, was studied extensively in the 1990s.
The idea of building the crossing using floating tunnels or seabed tunnels has been thoroughly evaluated.
The Strait of Messina Bridge will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no traffic disruptions caused by wind.
Numerous large-span bridges, already built, under construction, or planned for the future, are based on the studies and technical solutions developed for the Strait of Messina Bridge.
The decision to build a road bridge was driven purely by transportation needs specific to the time period in which the structure was designed.
A thorough runability analysis was carried out.
Construction of suspension bridges in seismic areas is a globally established practice.
The Bridge’s contact points with the ground are not situated on active faults.
Coastal movements are minimal and do not impact the stability of the Bridge.
The topic of tidal waves and tsunamis has been analyzed since the earliest studies, taking into account the three main types of event that can trigger them.
The final design was updated through the Designer’s Report, which was approved by the Board of Directors of Stretto di Messina in February 2024.
The approval of the Report, prepared by the General Contractor, Eutrolink, is the result of a complex assessment process carried out by Stretto di Messina.
The design process for major infrastructure projects involves several stages that identify increasing depths of design.
The history of the Strait of Messina Bridge project has been quite complex.
PROJECT MILESTONES AND ROLES
The idea of connecting Sicily to the mainland is centuries old, possibly dating back to the time of the ancient Romans.
The history of the Strait of Messina Bridge project, from its origins to the present day, is quite complex.
Stretto di Messina holds the concession for the study, design, financing, construction and operation of the Strait of Messina Bridge.
The General Contractor chosen by Stretto di Messina through an international tender is responsible for the final and detailed design and construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge and its road and rail connections.
The Project Management Consultant.
The party in charge is the Environmental Monitor.
The Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS) is responsible for policy and planning activities, approving strategic measures to drive economic growth.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2032.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS
The amount will be defined by the CIPESS with the approval of the Financial Plan.
In 2024, the European Council reaffirmed the inclusion of the Strait of Messina Bridge as a key infrastructure project within the “Scandinavian-Mediterranean” corridor.
The water supply for the Strait of Messina Bridge construction sites will not impact the water supply of Messina and Villa San Giovanni in any way.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis was updated in 2024 following European and national guidelines.
One of the main benefits highlighted by the cost-benefit analysis is time savings.
Overall, the shift of traffic flows from road to rail will result in a reduction in CO2 emissions.
The Bridge will seamlessly connect the rail and highway networks between the two regions, integrating them into a more efficient and extensive transportation system.
The analyses conducted have enabled us to estimate the impact on employment during the construction phase.
In all countries where major alternative routes to ferry services have been established, the redeployment of maritime personnel has been effectively managed through appropriate planning, including retraining and the reallocation of resources throughout the construction period.
Of primary importance, are the results of the Traffic Study updated to 2024.
COMPULSORY PURCHASE
The compulsory purchase process for construction of the Strait of Messina Bridge will begin gradually, following approval of the final design by CIPESS – which determines that it is in the public interest – and based on the progress of work on the project.
All the forms of compensation available under the specific circumstances will be applied.
The market value is set by the acquiring authority.
An encumbrance is a limitation on the exercise of ownership rights for the benefit of the community.
Temporary occupation refers to when a public body takes possession of an asset. There are two distinct types for assets subject to a compulsory purchase order and those that are NOT subject to such an order.
Temporary occupation envisages the return of the occupied areas to owners unless the temporary occupation regards assets subject to a compulsory purchase order.
The first act in the compulsory purchase process involves communication in accordance with art. 17 of Presidential Decree 327/2001.
There are specific forms of compensation available for businesses.
The Digital Mailbox is a tool provided for under Law Decree 35/2023.
The Infrastructure Law Decree has introduced procedural simplifications for acquirers and raised levels of compulsory purchase compensation.