Webuild starts hiring thousands for construction of world’s longest suspension bridge

In the planning for years, the Strait of Messina Bridge, expected to cost €13.5 billion, received final approval in Rome in August this year.

The bridge would connect the island of Sicily to the region of Calabria on the Italian mainland and is expected to span 3.3km (2.1 miles), stretching between two 400m (1,300 feet) high steel towers. It would carry two railway lines in the middle and three lanes of traffic on either side.

However, the plans for the project still need to be approved by environmental agencies at both national and European Union (EU) level. The Corte dei Conti, which controls Italy’s public spending, also still has to give the green light for the project.

Nonetheless, Webuild said it was starting selections to hire thousands of men and women to build the bridge.

Webuild leads the Eurolink consortium that has been appointed to build the bridge, alongside Spain’s Sacyr, IHI from Japan, and Italian firms Condotte and Itinera.

The design team includes Danish firm Cowi.

Webuild said, “As we wait for the final decision of the Corte dei Conti, on the human resources side, things are now moving faster, with training and hirings to build a team of professionals and young talents ready to contribute to a work that will change the South of Italy and Italy as a whole.”

It added that the support the project, it would also use its system of “Cantiere Lavoro Italia” schools, which involves workers and employees in work integration, specialisation and skill development paths. A tangible investment in training, work and the development of communities.

Launched in 2003, the programme, has since then trained approximately 1,700 people.

Meanwhile, in collaboration with the region of Sicily, the region of Calabria and the region of Campania, Webuild has promoted initiatives to attract new candidates from schools and universities.