MILAN — Italy has cleared the way to build the world’s longest suspension bridge. A link between the Italian mainland and Sicily will be created in a massive 13.5 billion euro ($15.5 billion) infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.

Italy approved a €13.5 billion ($15.7 billion) bridge to link the island of Sicily with the mainland, giving a green light to the long-delayed project after Giorgia Meloni’s government recast it as a national security priority.