The 2.3-mile-long bridge between the mainland and Sicily is expected to be finished by 2033, the Italian government says.

After decades of discussion, Italy has finally approved a $15.6 billion project to build the world’s longest suspension bridge. Reportedly, the Straight of Messina suspension bridge is expected to connect Sicily to the Italian mainland region of Calabria.

Italy cleared the way Wednesday to build the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale,