Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said the project will boost development in southern Italy, but it has raised security and environmental concerns. View on euronews

Italy's government gave final approval on Wednesday to the construction of what will be the world's longest single-span bridge, linking Sicily to the mainland, despite environmental, financial and other concerns that have delayed it for decades.

Italy has given the green light to a long-debated infrastructure project: a €13.5 billion ($15.7 billion) suspension bridge that will connect Sicily to the Italian mainland, marking a significant step forward in a plan that has languished for decades.