World's Longest Suspension Bridge to Be Built Over Earthquake Fault Line
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Construction of what would be the world's longest suspension bridge is scheduled to begin this year, according to the Italian government.
The bridge between the island of Sicily and the Italian mainland would cross over the Strait of Messina, a distance of 3,300 meters, though the construction has to grapple with tectonic activity that could cause earthquakes.
Why It Matters
The idea of connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland is not a new one. Roman empires, King Charlemagne, and successive modern Italian governments have all attempted to get beyond the planning phase, but cost, time, and the challenges of building in an earthquake-prone area have meant each try has been dismissed before shovels break ground.
What To Know
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is the latest to revive the concept, with Meloni's Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini, being the driving force behind finally starting work on the Strait of Messina Bridge.
The bridge's design would not spare any expense, carrying both trains and vehicles across the two mile distance between Torre Faro in Sicily and Villa San Giovanni on the mainland.
Latest estimates for the project predict that the cost would be around €13.5 billion, the equivalent of $15.3 billion. A small part of that is being funded by the European Union, but their €25 million contribution only partially covers half the design costs.
At the beginning of April this year, constructors Webuild hoped that work would be ready to begin at the end of the year.
"I hope to be there and to be able to cross it together with the whole team by the end of 2032", the CEO of Webuild, Pietro Salini, said.
"We are ready, as well as all the industrial partners, to proudly begin this very important project for Italy and especially for the South".
At just over two miles, if fully completed, the Strait of Messina Bridge would become the largest suspension bridge in the world, beating out the Canakkale Bridge in Turkey, which is 6,667 feet long.
In fact, the Strait of Messina Bridge would be as long as the two longest suspension bridges in China, the Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge and the Nansha Bridge, put together.
The biggest problem for the Strait of Messina Bridge is its location. Sicily and the surrounding region of Italy are prone to seismic activity that could disrupt the construction process and the final product, especially with the possibility of earthquakes in mind.
What People Are Saying
However, Guy Nordenson, a professor of structural engineering at Princeton University, told Newsweek that a suspension bridge design would be able to roll with any tectonic issues, as they are more flexible than other types of bridge.
"Keep in mind that these bridges are relatively flexible and can accommodate ground motion and more importantly displacements of the towers, better than many buildings," Nordenson said.
The engineer drew comparisons with the Akashi Kaikyo bridge in Japan, which is the third longest in the world, which also sits in a geologically active area.
A rendering of the Strait of Messina Bridge, from Webuild.
A rendering of the Strait of Messina Bridge, from Webuild.
Webuild
"The Japanese Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is a cousin of Messina, if you will, and that too has to deal with earthquakes. The Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 1995 (magnitude 7.3, with epicenter 20 km west of Kobe) moved the towers, the only structures that had been erected at the time, such that the central span had to be increased by 1 meter. That was fine."
Pietro Salini, the CEO of Webuild, said: The Strait of Messina Bridge is a huge technological challenge. 3km of the Bridge will be suspended in the Strait, a magical place where it will be possible to meet the Magna Graecia. It is also the Italian challenge towards the rest of the world.
What Happens Next
The Italian government remains committed to starting work on the bridge by the end of the year, with a finishing date of 2032.
However, Nordenson said that it was hard for anyone to put a definitive date on when work would begin or end, comparing the project to the MOSE barrier, which was designed to protect Venice from flooding.
"The time to complete is a bit difficult to predict. The MOSE barrier in Venice was also a priority of the government under Berlusconi, and that took decades," Nordenson told Newsweek.
"Besides the engineering and design quality, the cost is tied to the schedule and the degree of transparency or corruption that can occur – and the slow wheels of bureaucracy. It takes a rare combination of design excellence, honest and public minded execution and respect for the craft and work involved."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
The Surprising Impact of Trump's Tariffs On American Farmers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. American farmers are once again caught in the crossfire of Trump's trade wars. Despite a 90-day tariff truce with China, they continue to face rising export costs for soybeans, corn and pork, along with effects from earlier retaliatory tariffs and export restrictions. The numbers tell a stark story. U.S. soybean exports to China experienced a significant decline during the height of trade tensions. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), from mid-2018 to the end of 2019, retaliatory tariffs imposed by six major trading partners—Canada, China, Turkey, Mexico, the EU, and India—resulted in estimated losses of over $27 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. Soybeans alone accounted for more than 70 percent of those losses. The financial strain has left many farmers relying on taxpayer-funded bailouts. "Input costs for farmers remain a challenging factor, further compounded by ongoing uncertainty in markets," Evan Hultine, Vice President of Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), told Newsweek. "It's hard enough to market in the weather, let alone add the volatility within the markets." Despite the economic toll, political loyalty to Trump among many farmers has remained strong. However, analysts warn the cycle of trade disruption and federal compensation is not only unsustainable but damaging to the long-term health of American agriculture. "I don't think farmers support protectionist trade policies—they support Trump for other reasons—mainly social or cultural issues—even though trade wars are bad for their bottom lines," Tad DeHaven, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute and former Senate policy adviser told Newsweek. DeHaven's analysis highlights a paradox. While Trump's trade wars have hurt farmers financially, the Trump administration sought to "buy off" the agricultural sector with billions in subsidies. "Farmers were bailed out by taxpayers in the first Trump administration," he said. "Knowing that they would likely be bailed out again, farmers were more willing to accept the economic pain." That pain, however, was significant. During Trump's first term, China—previously the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans—retaliated against U.S. tariffs with tariffs of their own. Even after a 2020 trade agreement partially restored soybean exports, the damage had been done. According to DeHaven, China, along with other trading partners, began shifting to more reliable suppliers, like Brazil and Argentina. "Rather than stabilize agricultural production, [Trump's] tariff-driven bailouts deepened dependency and inefficiency," he noted. "They introduced uncertainty and compelled importers in countries like China to source more of their ag imports from other countries." Illinois Farm Bureau/Catrina Rawson Analysts observe that Chinese importers are now turning to South America for poultry and pork and eyeing Australia for wheat, sorghum and barley. Canada and Mexico, also targeted by Trump's trade barbs, have begun diversifying their import portfolios away from the U.S. Meanwhile, U.S. farmers are being squeezed on the cost side. Tariffs on steel and aluminum have driven up the cost of farm equipment, while trade restrictions have made key inputs like fertilizer more expensive. Canada, the largest supplier of potash—a vital fertilizer ingredient—has faced barriers under Trump-era trade policies, contributing to higher input prices at home. "Increased tariffs mean reduced market access and higher costs," DeHaven said. "Trump effectively treats all imports as bad, but U.S. agriculture depends on open markets both to sell goods and buy inputs affordably." To offset the fallout from these policies, Trump's first term saw $23 billion in direct payments to farmers. And the cycle is poised to repeat. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has already announced a new $10 billion round of taxpayer-funded farm bailouts authorized in late 2024. But experts warn this model is unsustainable. "If history repeats itself, American farmers—caught once again in the crossfire of economic nationalism—will be left with fewer markets, more expensive supplies and increased reliance on federal aid," DeHaven said. "For taxpayers, the bill will be high. And for U.S. trade credibility, the cost may be even greater." Illinois Farm Bureau/Catrina Rawson On May 15, Sec. Rollins visited the UK to strengthen ties and champion U.S. farmers and ranchers. Over the next five months, she'll tour Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Italy and India to open new markets and boost exports. USDA spokesperson Seth W. Christensen told Newsweek that Sec. Rollins top priorities are increasing access for American products in existing markets, opening new markets with strong demand for our products and making sure trading partners are treating American farmers, ranchers and producers fairly. Meanwhile, Hultine said the IFB continues to push for a five-year Farm Bill, emphasizing the need for consistent support and strategic market development both domestically and globally. DeHaven believes that the key lies in shifting away from reactionary financial relief and toward trade liberalization. He argues that rather than insulating farmers with bailouts, the government should support policies that expand trade, giving farmers greater access to global markets and reducing the cost of essential inputs like machinery, fertilizer, and herbicides. Instead, the administration's trade policies have limited market access for U.S. goods, creating challenges for the agricultural sector that it publicly champions.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Indonesia expects to conclude free trade talks with EU by end of June
JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesia said on Saturday that free trade negotiations with the European Union, which have been going on for nine years, are expected to finish by the end of June. Airlangga Hartarto, the chief economic minister for Southeast Asia's biggest economy, met with EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on Friday. "Indonesia and the European Union have agreed to conclude outstanding issues and we are ready to announce a conclusion of substantial negotiations by the end of June 2025," Airlangga Hartarto said in a statement. He did not disclose details about what agreements may have been reached. Representatives for the EU in Jakarta did not respond to a request for comment. The EU is Indonesia's fifth biggest trade partner, with total trade between the two reaching $30.1 billion last year. Indonesia had a $4.5 billion trade surplus, Airlangga said. Indonesia and the EU have previously disagreed on the EU's trade rules for products with potential links to deforestation which could affect Indonesian palm oil, as well as Jakarta's ban on exports of raw minerals. Indonesian officials have been motivated to accelerate talks on free trade agreements, keen to diversify the country's export destinations as they deal with U.S. tariff challenges. Seeking to end U.S. trade deficits worldwide, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs that have since been paused until July. Indonesia is facing a 32% tariff rate. Error al recuperar los datos Inicia sesión para acceder a tu cartera de valores Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos Error al recuperar los datos
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Hundreds in LA Protest ICE Raids as Mayor Says 'We Will Not Stand for This'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Friday after reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids swept through the city earlier in the day. Newsweek reached out to ICE and Governor Gavin Newsom's office via email Friday night for comment. Why It Matters Since his January 20 inauguration, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping change, mainly through executive orders, and has prioritized immigration control as a key pillar within the administration. Trump last month utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander in chief authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was originally blocked in federal court and sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth. The president also campaigned on the promise of mass deportations and appointed Tom Homan as his administration's border czar to execute his agenda. What To Know According to ABC 7 News Los Angeles, hundreds of protesters have gathered on downtown streets in resistance to the reported raids. The network added that the raids struck three separate sites on Friday. The protest began outside the federal courthouse in the afternoon near 300 N. Los Angeles Street and the crowd then began pushing toward the detention center in the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, ABC 7 reports. Taking to X, formerly Twitter on Friday, Mayor Karen Bass posted a statement, saying, "This morning we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles." "As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place," Bass said. "These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this." Newsom also took to social media reacting to the reported raids and a post that Service Employees International Union President David Huerta had been injured and detained observing one of them. "David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action," Newsom posted on X. This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
