But for millennia, generations of travelers have required a boat to cross Messina Strait separating Sicily and the mainland. Historical records indicate the desire to build a bridge connecting the landmasses dates as far back as ancient Rome,

Thousands of people have marched in Messina, Sicily, to protest a government plan to build a bridge connecting the Italian mainland with Sicily.

Italy's government gave final approval on Wednesday to the construction of what will be the world's longest single-span bridge, connecting Sicily to the mainland, despite financial and environmental concerns that have delayed it for decades.