Italy Replaces Failed Morandi Bridge in 18 Months
Jeffrey Heimgartner posted on August 11, 2020 |
New name—San Giorgio Bridge.
(Image courtesy of Seatrade Cruise News, credit: Luca Peruzzi.)
The Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed Aug. 14, 2018, killing 43 people, injuring hundreds and leaving devastation in its wake. It also meant a broken link in a vital trade route between France and Italy. Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil that still shrouds the fallen bridge—from talk of design flaws to neglected maintenance and lawsuits—there is now a new bridge ready to take on motorists: The San Giorgio Bridge.
Demotion of the damaged Morandi Bridge, in Genoa. A section of the bridge suddenly gave way Aug. 14, 2018, killing 43 people. (Image courtesy of RINA.)
Within four months of the bridge collapse, Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci designated €202 million new bridge ($229 million) to rebuild a structure over the Polcevera River to replace the collapsed Morandi Bridge, which was designed by Riccardo Morandi and completed in 1967. Design of the bridge was awarded to Renzo Piano, a native Genoan and architect of The Shard in London and Whitney Museum in New York City.
Working around the clock, design and construction went full steam ahead to replace the former 3,878-foot bridge that connects the A10 motorway toward France and A7 to Milan. Even faced with COVID-19, the construction team was able to rebuild the new structure within 18 months of…