But for millennia, generations of travelers have required a boat to cross Messina Strait separating Sicily and the mainland. Historical records indicate the desire to build a bridge connecting the landmasses dates as far back as ancient Rome,

Thousands of people marched in the Sicilian city of Messina on Saturday to protest a government plan to build a bridge that would connect the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive 13.5-billion-euro ($15.

Italy has finally approved a €13.5bn (£12bn) plan to build the world’s longest suspension bridge from the mainland to Sicily – an idea first envisaged by the ancient Romans – despite concerns funds will be siphoned off by the mafia.

Residents are opposed to the bridge over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental effect, and mafia interference.

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

The Italian government announced Wednesday it has approved the construction of a bridge between its mainland and the island Sicily.

The Italian government 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.

The Italian government is expected to give the green light for a multibillion-euro bridge between Sicily and the mainland next week, paving the way for construction work to finally start on the long-awaited project,

The Italian government said the bridge would be a security asset, which allows it to categorize the project as a military expense and count it toward its NATO spending commitments.

Italy's long-standing dream to build the world’s longest suspension bridge between the mainland and the island of Sicily has just moved one step closer to becoming reality. On August 6, the Italian government gave its final approval to build the Strait of Messina Bridge (Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina) between Sicily to the southern region of