Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ROME3857
2005-11-22 17:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

EMBASSY TOLD U.S. PARSONS WINS PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONTRACT TO OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION OF 7 BILLION DOLLAR BRIDGE (BUT WILL IT BE BUILT?)

Tags:  ETRD EINV EIND IT BUY AMERICA 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

221725Z Nov 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 003857 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV EIND IT BUY AMERICA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY TOLD U.S. PARSONS WINS PROJECT MANAGEMENT
CONTRACT TO OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION OF 7 BILLION DOLLAR BRIDGE
(BUT WILL IT BE BUILT?)

REF: A. ROME 02087


B. ROME 00014

-------
SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 003857

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV EIND IT BUY AMERICA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY TOLD U.S. PARSONS WINS PROJECT MANAGEMENT
CONTRACT TO OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION OF 7 BILLION DOLLAR BRIDGE
(BUT WILL IT BE BUILT?)

REF: A. ROME 02087


B. ROME 00014

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. Parsons Corp., a California-based engineering and
construction firm, told the Embassy that it has provisionally
been awarded the 120 million euro project management contract
to oversee construction of the bridge to connect mainland
Italy and Sicily. Italian engineering firm Impregilo had
previously been awarded the general contract for the final
design and construction of the bridge. These developments
are the closest Italy has been to realizing this 40-year-old
project. Impregilo will lead a consortium of Italian and
international engineering/construction firms (none U.S.).
There has long been skepticism over whether the bridge would
be built; and while strong opposition remains, consensus is
growing that it will be built, if for no other reason than
that too many contractual commitments have been made.
However, skeptics believe that any change in the GOI
governing majority resulting from the spring 2006 general
elections will again paralyze the project. The European
Commission has threatened to halt funding and take action
against Italy for not providing a full environmental impact
assessment. Italy has until year-end to respond, or risk EU
co-funding.


2. If ever built, the bridge would be the longest
single-span suspension bridge in the world (3.3 kilometers)
and would reportedly be the most expensive infrastructure
project ever in Italy (6 billion euros). Through state-owned
companies, the GOI will reportedly fund forty percent of the
project; possible EU funding and private capital will cover
the remaining sixty percent. Investors will reportedly be
paid back over thirty years from toll receipts. End Summary.

--------------
Parsons Awarded Project Management Contract.
--------------


3. Pending formal review of its documentation, Parsons
Corp., a Pasadena, California-based engineering and
construction firm, was provisionally awarded November 17 the
contract to monitor and verify implementation of the final
project to construct a bridge connecting Sicily to mainland
Italy. The contract is worth 120 million euros. The Italian

engineering and construction company Impregilio had been
chosen October 12 to be the general contractor for design and
construction of the bridge (Comment: while several companies
had qualified to bid for the general contract, uncertainties
surrounding the project meant only two chose to compete.
Moreover, the losing bidder, a consortium led by the Italian
firm Astaldi, has reportedly decided to appeal the award
decision. Formalization of award to Impregilo is pending the
Astaldi appeal. End Comment.) Impregilo will head an
international partnership including, inter alia, Spain's
Sacyr, Danish Cowi and Japan's IHI.


4. This is the largest infrastructure project ever planned in
Italy. The actual bridge will cost 3.9 billion euros (5
billion USD),though the entire project may cost an overall 6
billion euro (more than 7 billion USD) once supporting
infrastructure costs and inflation are considered. Although
presenting this as a "business investment," rather than a
direct, non-refundable state contribution, the GOI via
state-owned companies, will cover approximately forty percent
of the costs. The GOI claims this arrangement will not
impact the State's budget. Sixty percent will be covered by
possible EU funding and private risk capital. (Comment:
while not in the original financial plan, EU funds may cover
up to ten percent of the total, since this project is
considered an "EU-level interest project." End Comment.)
Embassy contacts estimate the original investment would be
made back through tolls over a 30-year period.

--------------
If Built...Facts and Figures
--------------


5. If built, the "Messina Strait" bridge would be the longest
single-span suspension bridge in the world (3.3 kilometers,
or almost three times as long as the Golden Gate); and its
two towers would rise 382 meters (taller than the Eiffel
Tower). The 60-meter width will provide room for six lanes,
two service/pedestrian lanes, and two rail tracks. Work is
scheduled to begin in 2006 and last 70 months.

-------------- --------------
GOI Says Benefits Will Be Immediate and Enduring.
-------------- --------------


6. The GOI fully supports the project and Infrastructure
Minister Lunardi has said, "By appointing a general
contractor, everyone will understand that we were not joking
when we committed to build the bridge. The tender is closed,
the party that will build the bridge is known, and work will
begin next year."


7. Our contacts report that the GOI believes construction of
the bridge, "in addition to the obvious practical advantage
of connecting Sicily to the mainland by road," will have both
an immediate and an enduring economic and social impact. The
GOI believes that up to 75 percent of the total investment
will remain in southern Italy and particularly in the two
regions of Sicily and Calabria. An estimated 40,000 jobs
will be created directly and indirectly from construction of
the bridge. (Comment. This figure may be inflated, and many
say that only one quarter of the jobs created will be
directly in bridge construction, while the rest will be
through a multiplier effect. End Comment.)


8. The GOI claims that the bridge itself will generate new
economic opportunities (such as creating business centers on
either side of the bridge); road connections between the
island and the mainland will also increase tourism and trade.
The rail connection will allow goods to move faster and more
efficiently from Sicily to mainland Italy (and the rest of
Europe) thus making Sicily's ports more attractive
destinations for goods coming from the Mediterranean area.
Also, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy will bring
psychological and social benefits to the area that will be
"closer" to Europe's heart. Finally, as the "life cycle" of
the bridge is envisioned to be much longer than the thirty
years it will take to make the investment back (per our
contacts),the GOI claims that the bridge itself will,
eventually, become a profitable operation.

--------------
...But Will it Really Be Built?
--------------


9. One press commentary underscored that, "1000 obstacles
remain before the bridge is built." Although many see
appointing a general contractor (pending appeal, see para 3)
as a point of no return, opposition to the bridge
construction remains strong. Most members of the current
center-left political opposition are against the project; and
experts believe that if the center-left wins the spring 2006
general elections, the project will be shelved.


10. Some opponents believe that, while it is not a bad
project per se, the GOI should focus on other priorities
first. Many are concerned that costs will escalate, making
the project economically unviable. There are also doubts on
the long-term economic and social benefits of the bridge.
Some are concerned with safety aspects (the Messina strait is
a seismic area). Another big concern is that organized crime,
the Sicilian mafia in particular, will win control of the
project. However, environmentalists--who believe the bridge
will irreparably spoil the coastline and dramatically affect
the existing fauna--have made the strongest arguments against
construction of the bridge.


11. The European Commission's Directorate for the
Environment, following a case filed by the World Wildlife
Fund, has taken a first step towards opening an infringement
proceeding against Italy, by arguing that Italy "has not
taken adequate measures to prevent deterioration of the
environment and disruption for birds. (Apparently, 312
species migrate over the Messina strait.) Italy has until
year's-end to respond. Press reports indicate that such
Commission initiatives are common and maintain that the
Commission is not going to take a "dogmatic" approach. Thus,
there reportedly is a good possibility that Italy will be
able to argue a successful case. However, the risk that
possible EU funding may dry up also exists.


12. Separately, allegations of misconduct in the tender
procedure have been raised; and an investigation is ongoing.
However, the consensus appears to be that such allegations
are unfounded.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


13. The "pharaonic" Messina bridge project has been on
Italy's agenda for almost forty years. Innumerable studies,
opinions, papers, seminars, projects, televisions shows, and
political debates have been dissected the issue. However,
assigning the general contractor and the project management
contracts is the closest Italy has ever been to actually
launching the project. That said, there are several facts
that beg cautious optimism. First, opposition is very
strong; and if there is a change in Italy's leadership in
2006, construction may well cease. (However, should the
project be stalled, there could be a price to pay for
breaching commitments already made.) A second big obstacle
is that private funding has not yet been lined up. End
Comment.

--------------
EMBASSY FOLLOW-UP
--------------


14. Embassy will closely monitor developments, both to report
possible subcontract tenders for U.S. firms and to monitor
transparency of the process as part of our efforts to promote
transparency in Italy's public procurements.
SPOGLI