PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE MESSINA STRAIT BRIDGE

Although it is only 25 years since the feasibility of a fixed-link between Sicily and the Italian mainland, what will be the world's longest span bridge is now high on Italy's political agenda. The heavy traffic expected, coupled with the fast-moving waters of the Messina Strait, and also the seismic risk in the area, led to the decision to site the suspension towers on land. The paper details the preliminary design for the suspension bridge, design criteria, history and site investigations.