A consortium led by Italys largest contactor, Impregilo S.p.A, Milan, on Oct. 12 won the contract to design and build the record-breaking suspension bridge over the Messina Strait from Sicily to the mainland. According to the owner, Italian state owned Stretto di Messina S.p.a., the consortium bid a price of around $4.7 billion, 12% below the bidding base case. The bidder also offered to trim 243 days from the proposed 78-month construction period. The successful consortium also includes Spains Sacyr S.A., Italys, Societ Italiana Per Condotte DAcqua S.p.A, Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti-C.M.C. di Ravenna, A.C.I. S.c.p.a and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Japan. The 3.7 km crossing will include a 3.3-km main span.