Sicilian bridge courts international engineers

Stretto di Messina, the company commissioned to design, build, finance and operate the £3.1bn Strait of Messina Bridge between Italy and Sicily, wants to meet British firms interested in the job next month.

Stretto di Messina management will give a presentation at the Institution of Civil Engineers on Tuesday 1 June. The management will also give presentations in New York and Tokyo.

The bridge will be 3.3km long and will carry a six-lane highway and four tracks for rail. The deadline for expressions of interest is 13 July. Construction is set to begin in late 2005.