A plan by Romans more than 2,000 years ago to connect mainland Italy to Sicily is set to become a reality, with work expected to begin this year. The project to build the Strait of Messina Bridge linking Sicily to the southern mainland region of Calabria is not only eyewateringly expensive but also controversial.

It is expected to cost a whopping €13.5 billion (£11.36 billion), with some locals arguing the funds could be spent more wisely to fund services in Calabria which is one of Italy’s most disadvantaged and poor areas. Critics have also voiced concern that the bridge is being built in an area well known for seismic activity – a devastating earthquake in 1908 killed more than 100,000 people. The suspension bridge will be the longest of its kind in the world, taking the crown from Turkey’s Çanakkale Bridge.

The central span – the main section of the bridge between the supporting towers – will measure 3,300 metres.

Both trains and vehicles will be able to transit the bridge between Torre Faro in Sicily and Villa San Giovanni on the mainland, hopefully speeding up trade between southern and northern Europe.

“The bridge should be a strategic hub for the country,” said Adriano Giannola, President of the Association for the Development of the Industry in southern Italy, according to Euronews.

“Sicily is the physical centre of the Mediterranean. Ships coming out of the Suez Canal pass Sicilian ports, but they don’t stop there, they go all the way to Rotterdam. If we want to change this, the bridge is one of the keys.”

The bridge has reportedly been designed to withstand earthquakes up to 7.5 magnitude and winds of 300 km/h (186 mph).

Despite the area being prone to seismic activity, an expert told Newsweek the suspension bridge design means it will be more flexible than other bridge types and will be able to roll with any tectonic issues.

Plans to build a bridge connecting Sicily to the Italian mainland date back to Roman times.

There have been several proposals since then but now the plans, backed by €25 million (£21 million) from the EU, are finally going ahead under Italy’s new right-wing government.

Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said: “The bridge will bring work, wealth, beauty, and will save tons of CO2 in the air, making it one of the greenest bridges in the world.”

The Italian government also says the bridge could reduce Mafia influence in the region.

It is hoped the Strait of Messina Bridge will be open by the end of 2032. 

Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean and a very popular tourist destination, while Calabria in Italy’s ‘toe’ is largely rural, with mountains and a rich coastline along the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and Ioanian Sea to the south. Calabria is also well known for its cuisine which tends to be spicier than the other regions.