The government says the road and rail link will create jobs and lift the region’s economy, but critics are concerned about the environmental and social impact.

The Strait of Messina Bridge would connect Sicily to the rest of Italy over a 2-mile stretch. It's expected to cost 13.5 billion euros ($15.7 billion), which Italy's Presidency of the Council of Ministers says will be completely funded by the public and has already been accounted for in the 2024 and 2025 budget.

Italy’s government has approved a project to build the world’s longest suspension bridge that will connect Sicily to the Italian mainland.The proposed bridge spanning the Strait of Messina will have a two-mile suspended span.