The Italian government has given final approval to a £12billion project to build the world's largest suspension bridge that will connect Sicily to the mainland.
The 2.3 mile Strait of Messina Bridge had been held up for decades over mafia infiltration, earthquake, and financial concerns.
But Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni yesterday declared it was an investment in Italy's present and future and added: 'We like difficult challenges when they make sense.'
Work is expected to be completed by 2032 and the bridge will be held up by four main steel cables measuring 1.26 metres in diameter.
The project has faced stiff opposition from those who question the wisdom of building such a bridge in an earthquake zone.
