Regional authorities, environmental groups, and NGOs have universally condemned the final approval of the Messina Strait Bridge project, joining longstanding local opposition committees. Protests and demonstrations are set to begin this Saturday.
Peppe Marra of the Calabrian ‘No-Bridge Committee’ stated: “The CIPESS committee’s approval of the final design—like the positive VIA-VAS environmental assessment despite 62 substantial requirements—isn’t progress but another political maneuver disguised as a technical act. Those requirements would force a complete redesign, starting with seismic studies, yet the government forges ahead. This greenlight enables land expropriations, while the real goal is locking in conditions for Webuild to claim massive penalties if the project halts—an increasingly likely outcome.”
Rossella Bulsei, spokesperson for the ‘Ti tengo Stretto’ committee representing Villa San Giovanni residents, declared: “The impossible is made possible with a signature ignoring legal challenges, appeals, scientific data, geology, economics, and logic. This decision dismisses communities and citizens—a triumph of concrete over the environment. It’s a grave imposition by those who dictate without listening.”
The ‘Invece del Ponte’ association highlighted the project’s “serious gaps,” noting it “lacks minimum legal requirements for final approval, remains seismically unsafe, and postpones critical studies to the execution phase—another governmental overreach.”
Critics accuse the government of bending rules by inventing “imperative reasons,” retroactively altering tender clauses, and bypassing mandatory EU consultations. Greenpeace, LIPU, Legambiente, and WWF Italy jointly condemned the approval as “a reckless gamble,” citing economic risks and unresolved uncertainties, with essential tests deferred to later stages.
Their statement added: “While the VIA Commission’s opinion was taken for granted, the Court of Auditors’ pending review is now being ignored. So-called construction start will be largely symbolic, covering preliminary work only—the final design remains incomplete, and phased construction laws leave cable durability and seismic studies unresolved until the last moment.”
The groups further warned of diverted funds: “Bridge financing strips resources meant to reduce socioeconomic disparities and promote balanced development, cutting into welfare services.” They also questioned cost projections, noting the €13.5 billion figure in the government’s 2023 infrastructure plan remains unchanged for 2025 despite inflation: “Financial outlets already estimate costs at €14.6 billion.”
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