The CEO of the Strait of Messina company, Pietro Ciucci, has issued a firm rebuttal to allegations made by environmental associations, stating there is no technical or procedural “element of uncertainty,” nor any violations of European regulations. Ciucci clarified that the bridge’s final project was developed and approved in full compliance with both Italian and European laws.
From a technical standpoint, Ciucci emphasized that the definitive design for the bridge meets the highest standards for aerodynamic, aeroelastic, seismic, and geotechnical performance. He stated that the project’s technical feasibility has never been in question and labeled claims of missing “essential integrity tests and seismic analyses” as having no basis in reality. He suggested these criticisms might refer to prescriptions issued by the Ministry of the Environment (Mase), which, as with any project, will be fulfilled during the executive design phase and have largely already been planned for by the company.
Regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment, Ciucci noted the entire approval process mandated by regulations was concluded positively. He further countered the claim that the contract was awarded “without an international tender,” clarifying that the main project actors—the General Contractor, Environmental Monitor, and Project Management Consultant—were selected through international tenders. These competitions saw participation from over 60 companies, a third of which were foreign.
Ciucci also denied any uncertainty about the project’s costs, explaining that traffic studies and the Cost-Benefit Analysis were conducted by leading independent entities. While dismissing talk of “miraculous effects,” he concluded by asserting that scientific evidence demonstrates the bridge’s construction will significantly contribute to collective well-being, delivering substantial net benefits to the national community and improving both economic and environmental conditions.