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

Rome has given final approval to a €13.5bn ($15.6bn) project to build the world's longest suspension bridge, connecting the island of Sicily to the region of Calabria, on the tip of Italy's boot.

Italy has given final approval for the construction of what would be the world's longest single-span bridge, connecting Sicily to the mainland, a decision that immediately sets the stage for a potential legal battle.