Safeguarding a work that is a symbol of Made in Italy
According to Giorgio Lupoi, President of OICE, “beyond the merits of the reasons that will be made known by the Court in the coming weeks, we believe that this is a stumble that must not stop the process. It is a moment to overcome, as has already happened in the past in our country.”
In fact, Lupoi recalls that “in February 1998, the Prodi Government, in response to a similar decision by the Joint Sections of the Court of Auditors, registered with reservation the decree extending the concession to the Autostrade company until 2038, definitively unblocking the sale procedure started in July 1996. A precedent that demonstrates how it is possible to respect the institutions without interrupting strategic paths.”
And he continues: “the Bridge is part of the great tradition of Italian engineering and architecture, as has already happened with emblematic works such as the High Speed railway and the MOSE in Venice. Both have contributed to improving the country’s infrastructural quality and strengthening its international positioning. These works are the fruit of Italian ingenuity, a true “Made in Italy of engineering” to be preserved and enhanced”.
Continue with determination and confidence in the future of the project
Finally, Lupoi underlines, also from the point of view of the costs of large works “the Bridge has an estimated cost of 13.5 billion euros, including railway, road infrastructure and environmental works; the High Speed railway entailed a total investment of around 50 billion euros for 1,280 km of line and for the MOSE of Venice the total cost was around 6 billion euros, with high management and maintenance costs. The Bridge is therefore placed in the same economic order of magnitude as other major Italian works, confirming its strategic and financial coherence.”
And he concludes: “The Strait Bridge is not just infrastructure: it is a symbol of connection, progress and national ambition. OICE reiterates the opportunity to continue the path started, respecting the institutions and procedures, but with the awareness that great works require vision, patience and courage”.
We await updates on the reasons and the continuation of the process.
