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

MILAN (AP) — Italy cleared the way Wednesday to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.

The Strait of Messina Bridge will be “the biggest infrastructure project in the West,” Transport Minister Matteo Salvini told a news conference in Rome, after an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments approved the project.

Premier Giorgia Meloni said that the bridge “will be an engineering symbol of global significance.’’

Salvini cited studies showing the project will create 120,000 jobs a year and accelerate growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more in investments are made in roads and other infrastructure projects accompanying the bridge.

  • don@lemmy.caEnglish
    191·
    3 days ago

    Meanwhile trump blows $200 million in tax payers’ money for a fucking golden ballroom at the WH. “Just more ways to spend my money.”

    • DandomRude@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      3 days ago

      Don’t forget about the 75 billion for ICE. I cannot for the life of me imagine why this agency needs such an astronomical budget, unless it is to turn it into a secret police force – which seems highly likely in the case of this US government.

      • macaw_dean_settle@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        3 days ago

        It isn’t. You apparently don’t know what that phrase means. It is related because the discussion about how tax money is being allocated for infrastructure projects. In one case, to benefit the people of the country’s commerce and the other case, money being wasted on tasteless “upgrades.”

        • spongebue@lemmy.worldEnglish
          4·
          3 days ago

          So every public infrastructure project in every country is cause for a reminder of the dumbassery going on here? Both projects are coming out of taxpayer money, and that’s where the similarity ends and the non sequitur-ness begins. As you say, one is actually being used for something useful.

          If you want to talk about wasted money, how about that bridge in India with a 90° turn? At least that one is, you know, a bridge.