He told a joint session of the Lower House’s transport and environment committees that this was up from a forecast of €8.5 billion in 2011 regarding the same project.
“Two reformulation changes were made to make two things clear: first, the limit was €13.5 billion, so the study was within that limit; second, we needed to set objective criteria because materials have increased in the last two years, some even 40 per cent.
“It was over and costs had to be measured to avoid extra profits for a company that won the contract in 2012.”
According to Rixi, for the most part the project is no different than the one that was approved in 2011.
“But there is a technological improvement with new sensors to be installed on the bridge,” he said.
“We have a lot of materials that change over time.
“Since the project was updated, we are not in a position to use the materials they used in 2011.”
The project to build a bridge across the Strait of Messina has been considered by many previous governments but has never moved beyond the planning stage due to environmental, seismic and mafia infiltration concerns and the massive price tag.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government approved a decree paving the way for construction in March.
ANSA
