In Continuing recognition of Italy's desire to strengthen it's "bond" with those of Italian Heritage Abroad, Italy, the planned Messina Bridge that will "join" the Peninsula with Sicily, will also "symbolically join" the 60 Million in Italy with 60 Millions Ethnic Italians Abroad by being named in their Honor.

(AGI) - Rome, Italy, Dec. 16 - Infrastructure Minister Pietro Lunadri agrees with the proposal made by the Minister for Italians Abroad, Mirko Tremaglia, to name the Messina Strait bridge for Italians residing abroad.

"I think it is a beautiful tribute to the 60 million Italians who live abroad and love Italy more than us.

Italians around the world are a great resource that are never evaluated enough.

Tremaglia has been great on insisting on this," said Lunardi.

Lunardi, moreover, confirmed that work on the bridge should open by the end of 2005 or the beginning of 2006.

"The general contractor will be chosen on April 20, 2005." (AGI) .

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