Italy has pledged 18 billion euros for a mega building program including the construction of the longest bridge in the world.

Flying in the face of the credit crunch and worldwide economic recession Silvio Berlusconi’s government looks set to build its way out of the money crisis. The bridge linking Sicily to the mainland across the Straits of Messina, will be more than three and half kilometres long and suspended 64 metres above the sea. The bridge was one of Berlusconi’s key election pledges and is expected to help bring jobs and prosperity to southern Italy. The Italian Prime Minister was in upbeat mood at his press conference announcing the plan. He also took a swipe at the media. He said:“Contrary to the interests of everybody there are some in the media who are presenting the financial crisis as final and a tragedy. It is a crisis. But the use of words like tragedy is and over exageration.” As well as the new bridge Italy is spending the rest of the 18 billion euros on a controversial new flood barrier for Venice, new schools and prisons.More about: Italy, Silvio Berlusconi

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