[R@ptor]

The financing for the 'Ponte sullo Stretto' (Messina Strait Bridge) is finally secured and construction is expected to start soon.
http://www.corriere.it/economia/09_marzo_06/cipe_via_libera_opere_pubbliche_ponte_stretto_f5ef17a4-0a38-11de-91a6-00144f02aabc.shtml

Once it is completed it will be the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world and will connect the Italian mainland with Sicily.

Facts

Length of the central span: 3,300m/10,824ft (Current record: Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge: 1991m/6,530ft)

Total length: 3,666m/12,024ft

Height of the pylons: 382.6m/1,255ft (Current record: Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge: 298.3m/978ft)

Width of the suspended deck: 60.4m/198ft

Traffic capacity: 144,000 cars/day + 200 trains/day

Estimated cost: €6.1 billion (~$8 billion)

http://www.guidasicilia.it/foto/news/luoghi/pontestretto_long_N.jpg
http://www.guidasicilia.it/foto/news/luoghi/pontestretto_long_N.jpg

http://media.panorama.it/media/foto/2008/05/13/482f6dcfcbc08_normal.jpg
http://media.panorama.it/media/foto/2008/05/13/482f6dcfcbc08_normal.jpg

http://www.odysseymagazine.com/images/scoops-2002-12.jpg
http://www.odysseymagazine.com/images/scoops-2002-12.jpg

[krudmonk]

Epic.

[urbanlife]

that's a seriously long bridge.

[BTinSF]

Given the state of the Italian government's credit, I wonder how secure the financing really is. Basically, if my effort to read the Italian is anywhere close, the financing is a government infrastructure "stimulus" effort like ours except that Italy is one of those European countries, along with Spain, Greece and some of eastern Europe whose sovereign bonds are looking shaky right now.

[plinko]

That thing is huge! I'm not sure which is more impressive, the span or the deck width. 198'!

[MolsonExport]

Fantastic, but construction of this link has been imminent for 40 years.

[Amanita]

Freaking amazing. If this thing goes through, Akashi-Kaikyo is gonna be dethroned as longest suspension bridge, big time. Nice looking bridge, though!

[urbanfan89]

Looks like the Sicilian Mafia boss is dreaming of Euro signs.

[ardecila]

Yea, this thing has been planned for years but fears of Mafia involvement always delayed it.

At the same time, though, there's a huge amount of traffic between Sicily and the peninsula. Special ferries have been designed that can accomodate an entire train. The train just goes into the hull of the ferry and rolls out on the other side.

[bnk]

Well best of luck.


After this one how long can we expect before the straits of Gibraltar will be spanned and is it possible to do so within the next 20 years or so?

I know it is possible based upon engineering but how long will it take and is it necessary?

[Rathgrith]

At the same time, though, there's a huge amount of traffic between Sicily and the peninsula. Special ferries have been designed that can accomodate an entire train. The train just goes into the hull of the ferry and rolls out on the other side.

I almost got to ride that ferry with the train! but alas, I had to get off in South Calabria.

[Capt AWACS]

I ride the ferry and train at least once on a monthly basis, as my in-laws are from Messina, and my wife and I have a home in Taormina (along with our normal home in Siracusa). THe ferry system is just fine now. The bridge is a Silivio ego trip and nothing more, to try and pay for old votes on the island.

This bridge has been "planned" for years. Lets just say I will believe it when I see it complete. Which even if it does start will take twice as long to complete as planned. The Autostrada from Catania to Siracusa is STILL underconstruction and has been for nearly 20 years...

Ciao,
AWACS

[JMancuso]

i'm surprised the sicilians are willing to connect themselves to the rest of the country.

[ardecila]

Well best of luck.


After this one how long can we expect before the straits of Gibraltar will be spanned and is it possible to do so within the next 20 years or so?

I know it is possible based upon engineering but how long will it take and is it necessary?

AFAIK, the only reason it would be necessary is as part of a trans-continental highway link in a global highway system. Right now, Africa is too fragmented and volatile to plan a modern highway system, and I don't believe Morocco alone would generate enough traffic to justify the enormous cost of such a bridge.

[StethJeff]

That's a pretty huge bridge. Nonetheless, I'm surprised that it's taken the Italians 2000 years to finally connect the ball to the boot.

[Justin10000]

That's a pretty huge bridge. Nonetheless, I'm surprised that it's taken the Italians 2000 years to finally connect the ball to the boot.

There's a joke there somewhere..

[JDRCRASH]

About time....

[Capt AWACS]

About time....

Like I said, even if this comes to fruition anytime soon, which is still not 100% don't expect to travel on said bridge for a minimum of 20-25 years. That is the Italian way.

Ciao,
AWACS

[speedy1979]

Will the deck of this bridge be made of carbon Fiber/Fiberglass reinforced plastics?

[JordanL]

Given the state of the Italian government's credit, I wonder how secure the financing really is. Basically, if my effort to read the Italian is anywhere close, the financing is a government infrastructure "stimulus" effort like ours except that Italy is one of those European countries, along with Spain, Greece and some of eastern Europe whose sovereign bonds are looking shaky right now.

Don't worry, our bonds will be shaky by the end of the year too.

[R@ptor]

That is the Italian way.


Correction...the Southern Italian way ;)