Messina style bridge

The Strait of Messina bridge uses an innovative multi-box girder, wing-shaped deck that enables the suspended deck to reach a length of over 3,000 metres whilst being capable of withstanding high winds. The deck consists of 3 longitudinal box girders connected every 30 metres by transversal box girders: the presence of wide open spaces between the box girders enables air to flow, thus reducing the bridge’s wind resistance. ​ Many long-span bridges  that have been built, are under construction or soon to be built, take their inspiration from the technical studies and characteristics of the Strait of Messina Bridge. Indeed, since the proposed preliminary design of 1992, drawn up by Stretto di Messina, the concept and outcomes achieved for the Strait of Messina bridge have become well known in the international arena and have aroused great interest, with many studies being converted into construction projects over the subsequent decade.​ In this connection, the new Xihoumen bridge, currently under construction, uses a Messina-style deck with the central box girder used for rail traffic, just like the Strait of Messina bridge. The proposed design of 1992, which 30 years ago outlined a possible future for which there were no applications, is completely up-to-date and is only now starting to be converted into construction projects throughout the world, with many others expected to follow in the future, making it the world’s leading benchmark for state-of-the-art bridges, known as “Messina style”.