More than 2,000 years of planning for a fixed link between Italy and the island of Sicily came tantalizingly close to fruition in 2006 when a construction contract was signed. But with designs approved and preparatory site work in hand, the state company behind the $5-billion project shut its doors last year and work was indefinitely shelved.
Transportation and infrastructure minister Maurizio Lupi is on record as still supporting the project but, as Italy grapples with mountainous public debt, other priorities exist, he says.