The government says the road and rail link will create jobs and lift the region’s economy, but critics are concerned about the environmental and social impact.

The Strait of Messina Bridge would connect Sicily to the rest of Italy over a 2-mile stretch. It's expected to cost 13.5 billion euros ($15.7 billion), which Italy's Presidency of the Council of Ministers says will be completely funded by the public and has already been accounted for in the 2024 and 2025 budget.

Italy has cleared the way to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily.