For the longest time, and up to recently, although "personal" relations between Italy and Italian Americans were very warm, the Italian Government and many Italians took a "distant" attitude toward Italian Americans, (and indeed all Italians that emigrated), feeling that those Italians who "immigrated" had "abandoned", turned their back on Italy.
More recently, the Italian Government has
not only awakened to the advisability of,
and the benefits of, or even the necessity
of, recognizing the value of maintaining and fostering a bond with, Italians
(those with Italian Passports) abroad, but also the Italians abroad (without
Passports) but as descendants of Italians, and with a strong feeling for
Italy. The Italian government has become more realistic about the "causes"
of that Immigration.
This change in attitude began with the appointment of Mirko Tremaglia, as Minister for Italians Abroad. The definition seems to have been enlarged from "with Passport" to "with Blood". An enormous step forward in fostering that "bond".
The naming of the Messina Bridge is a hugely symbolic gesture!!!
To refresh your memory, the Messina Bridge
will be the longest suspension bridge ever built (between towers), will
be 2.5 miles long, 196' wide with 12 lanes, plus 2 train tracks, cost five
billion dollars and take eleven years to build. While economics and water
depth were giant obstacles, even greater threats are wind and seismic.
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MESSINA BRIDGE TO HONOUR ITALIANS ABROAD,
MINISTER HAPPY
(AGI) - Rome, April 22 - "The project of the Messina bridge, inserted on the list of European priorities, cannot but add lustre to Italy's name.
In the name of Italians abroad, I would like to thank Minister Lunardi for his declared intention of dedicating it to Italians abroad.
Finally, someone remembers them, recognising the lustre that they gave and continue to bring to our country," said the Minister for Italians Abroad, Mirko Tremaglia, who added, "I'm proud that such a work, unique in the world, will be named after them.
The green light given yesterday by the European Parliament makes me also hope for the projects of the Ministry for Italians Abroad, and an international museum of Italian emigration in Messina and the University of the Italian Language in Calabria, where the current university can be amplified and can become a point of reference for the descendents of Italian emigres, in order to study the language of their fathers and cultivate the values of our culture." (AGI) .
Agenzia
Giornalistica Italia - News In English
http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200404221915-
1187-RT1-CRO-0-NF11&page=0&id=agionline-eng.oggitalia
CHANNEL BRIDGE: GASPARRI, IMPORTANT GOAL FOR SOUTH ITALY
(AGI) - Rome, Apr. 21 - Minister of Communications Maurizio Gasparri says that "The approval given by the European Parliament to the construction of the Messina Bridge is an important goal that takes Sicily and other Regions of Southern Italy at the centre of commercial interests in the Mediterranean Zone."
"The Bridge - he goes on - is a communication infrastructure that goes beyond old patterns and relaunch Southern Italy's economy thanks to a system of modern services and transports. Its creation, that we hope will be done soon, will be the necessary condition for the development of Southern Italy's economy". (AGI) .
Agenzia
Giornalistica Italia - News In English
http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200404211907-
1220-RT1-CRO-0-NF82&page=0&id=agionline-eng.italyonline
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project if completed would stand as one of the Landmark Bridges of the 21st century. It would be the longest suspension bridge ever built (between towers).
The Strait of Messina (divides the island of Sicily from Calabria in southern Italy) is 2 miles (3km) wide. While the overall length is not a big problem the economics, water depth, wind, and earthquakes all have to be accounted for.
Presently all has been accounted for except the economics. To avoid the problem of the deep water, the solution was to design the longest suspension bridge ever. It will have a 3300 m (2 mi) main span and 180 m (590 ft) side spans (overall length 3.7 km(2.5 mi)). The main piers will be founded in 120 m (400 ft) of water.
There will be a new patented lighter deck design which deals with aerodynamic and seismic problems. The wind will be no problem as the aerodynamic features of the bridge will allow it to withstand 216 km/hr (134 mi/hr). Earthquakes will have to be huge as the bridge will be able to face without damage a seismic action corresponding to 7.1 magnitude in Richter scale (severer than the earthquake that destroyed in Messina on 1908). The only obstacle left is the funding. The bridge is expected to cost five billion dollars and take eleven years to build.
The bridge will be 60 m (196 feet wide) and will have 12 lanes for traffic and two lanes in the middle for trains. This will allow 140,000 vehicles and 200 trains per day. This will cut down transit times of up to 12 hours down to minutes.
Strait
of Messina Bridge Project
http://bridgepros.com/projects/Strait_of_Messina_Bridge/