MILAN (AP) — Italy cleared the way Wednesday to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the spectre of mafia interference.

The Strait of Messina Bridge will be “the biggest infrastructure project in the West,†told a news conference in Rome, after an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments approved the project.

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