However, Brussels already has agreed to redefine "deficit reduction" after France's unilateral announcement earlier this year that it was deferring its own deficit commitments. If Italy is granted similar leniency, the EU will descend farther down a slippery economic slope -- and the monetary union will suffer yet another blow to its sagging credibility.
The bridge project certainly does not lack ambition: It calls for a six-lane freeway and two rail lines between Sicily and the rest of Italy, as well as a 3.3-kilometer (2-mile) suspension span -- the world's largest.
The bridge project certainly does not lack ambition: It calls for a six-lane freeway and two rail lines between Sicily and the rest of Italy, as well as a 3.3-kilometer (2-mile) suspension span -- the world's largest.
Infrastructure Minister Pietro Lunardi says contracting will begin early next year, with ground-breaking scheduled for 2005. He estimates construction will be completed "within five or six years" at a total cost of $4.3 billion.
However, completion is not likely to be either on time or on budget. The government's own January 2001 assessment estimated construction would take 11 years, at a cost of $5.2 billion.
Even that could be too optimistic; Italy has a history of completing projects late and over budget.
However, completion is not likely to be either on time or on budget. The government's own January 2001 assessment estimated construction would take 11 years, at a cost of $5.2 billion.
Even that could be too optimistic; Italy has a history of completing projects late and over budget.
For example, the highway connecting the Sicilian capital of Palermo to Messina has been "under construction" for 30 years. Add in the Scylla of the infamous Sicilian mafia and the Charybdis of Italians' typically laissez-fair attitudes, and it is hard to imagine the project being completed either quickly or cheaply.
The bridge is only a small part of a planned $122 billion infrastructure program that Italy cannot afford on current government revenues. The recession already has led the government to delay its balanced budget target to 2004 from 2003.
The bridge is only a small part of a planned $122 billion infrastructure program that Italy cannot afford on current government revenues. The recession already has led the government to delay its balanced budget target to 2004 from 2003.