EU procurement snag threatens to delay Italy's Messina Bridge megaproject by years

Italy's flagship Messina Bridge megaproject has hit a procurement snag with Brussels, with a negative assessment from the European Commission potentially delaying the scheme by years, EurActiv reported on Wednesday.

The bridge, designed to span the Strait of Messina and link the Italian mainland to Sicily, is one of Europe's most discussed infrastructure projects. EurActiv did not specify the exact procurement rule at issue, but described the Commission's position as a serious obstacle.

A delay would be a significant blow to the Italian government, which has championed the project as a national priority. EU procurement rules require competitive tendering processes for large publicly funded infrastructure, and a formal negative finding from Brussels can trigger lengthy review procedures.

EurActiv cited the risk of a multi-year setback if the dispute is not resolved.