Strait of Messina

Credit: Credit: NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team, Posted on: Wednesday, 10 September 2003, 06:00 CDT Download full size image

The Strait of Messina Bridge Project, if completed, would stand as one of the landmark bridges of the 21st century. It would be the longest suspension bridge ever built. The Strait of Messina divides the island of Sicily from Calabria in southern Italy, and is 3 km wide. While the overall length is not a big problem, the economics, water depth, wind, and earthquakes all have to be accounted for. To avoid the problem of the deep water, the solution was to design the longest suspension bridge ever. It will have a 3,300-meter main span and 180-meter side spans (an overall length of 3.7 kilometers). The main piers will be founded in 120 meters of water. The aerodynamic features of the bridge will allow it to withstand winds up to 216 km per hour. The bridge will also be able to face magnitude 7.1 earthquakes without damage.

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