Italy’s Audit Court has released its detailed explanation for rejecting the government’s plan to build a suspension bridge across the Messina Strait.
The long-planned structure would link Sicily to the mainland and form the world’s longest suspension bridge. The court said its decision rested solely on legal grounds linked to environmental rules, procurement law, and missing regulatory approvals.
Breach of EU Habitat Directive
The court’s first objection concerned EU Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural and semi-natural habitats. The government relied on an Iropi resolution, which seeks to justify major works by invoking overriding public interest. The Audit Court said the resolution lacked adequate investigation and reasoning. It concluded that the environmental assessment did not meet the strict standards required when a project affects protected areas.
Contract Changes Breach Procurement Law
The second issue involved Directive 2014/24 on public procurement. The court found that the current contract for the bridge differs too much from the one originally tendered. It said the changes were substantial in both objective terms, such as conditions and obligations, and subjective terms, relating to the parties involved. Because the updated agreement no longer resembled the original, it could not be treated as a valid continuation of the same procurement process.
Missing Opinion on Tariff Plan
The third objection concerned the project’s economic and financial plan. Under Italian rules, the Transport Regulatory Authority must give an opinion on the tariff structure that supports forecasts for toll revenues.
The court said this opinion was missing. Without it, the financial assumptions of the 13.5-billion-euro project lacked the required regulatory scrutiny.
A legal review not political assessment
In its statement, the Audit Court stressed that its ruling dealt only with legality. It did not evaluate whether the bridge is desirable, strategically useful, or beneficial. It said respect for procedure is essential to safeguard public spending and that its work must be assessed within a framework of institutional respect.
Government Reaction
The government has said it will respond once it has studied the full motivation. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said the issues were expected and that technical teams are working on detailed replies. The ruling delays the planned start of works to early next year. Salvini has repeated his intention to proceed once the legal concerns are addressed.
The premier’s office has confirmed its commitment to the project. It said ministers will analyse the ruling and respond point by point. The bridge plan, backed by successive governments and revived by Salvini in 2022, also faces hundreds of local appeals linked to expropriations on both sides of the strait.
