After the victory of the centre-left coalition in the recent elections, and the appointment of the Government led by Romano Prodi, everyone is asking what will be the fate of the so-called Grandi Opere representing prominent and large-scale works in Italy.
Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had made these big projects one of the main features of his government. First and foremost was the approval of specific legislation, Law 166/2002, designed to fast-track public works and facilitate construction in general. This was followed by the launch of a series of strategic works: road and rail infrastructure, the bridge over the Straits of Messina (connecting Sicily with the mainland) and the Mose project to protect Venice from high waters. Plus, at last, new codes were approved for public works and the environment.
