The idea of connecting Sicily to the mainland is centuries old, possibly dating back to the time of the ancient Romans.
According to some sources, in 251 BC, Lucius Caecilius Metellus constructed the first bridge across the Strait of Messina to transport surviving elephants from battles against the Carthaginians to Rome. The idea of linking the two shores was later considered by figures such as Charlemagne and Roger II d’Altavilla. The modern project traces its origins to the Competition of Ideas launched by Anas in 1969.