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,

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.

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.

Thousands of people have marched in Messina, Sicily, to protest a government plan to build a bridge connecting the Italian mainland with Sicily.

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

Protesters staunchly oppose the Strait of Messina Bridge project over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.