But a spokeswoman for Stretto di Messina, the client for the project, said that the decision did not change anything in terms of the agreement between the government and the general contractor. Although the contract had been signed, the consortium had not yet been given the order to proceed with construction, she said.

"The government has announced that the Messina Bridge is no longer a priority, but we are now waiting for the decision to be taken as to what enabling works the contractor should now concentrate on," she said. She denied that the bridge had been scrapped and said that the project was 'still living'.