New Civil Engineer Civil engineering and construction news and jobs from New Civil Engineer
The last remaining sections of the Polcevera viaduct in Genoa, Italy have been demolished today, almost a year after part of the road bridge collapsed killing 43 people.
Demolition of the two remaining towers of the cable stayed bridge section on the eastern side of the viaduct, was carried out this morning under a controlled explosion. Demolition of the motorway bridge started in December last year.
A 250m long section of the deck and one of the towers, collapsed in August last year killing 43 people.
The cause has yet to be established, but a report by the Italian transport ministry in September last year slammed the highways operator Autostrade for lacking the analytical expertise to inspect the bridge, claiming that it had missed “warning signs” about the bridge’s condition.
New Civil Engineer also revealed that investigators at the scene had found corrosion of the main stay cables on the collapsed section.
The viaduct, which is more commonly known as the Morandi Bridge after its designer, is being replaced by a bridge designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano.
Italian construction and engineering companies Salini Impregilo and boat builder specialist Fincantieri won the contract to build the new €200M (£180M) bridge after more than 20 designs were submitted to the local authority.
Preparations for the new structure have already started with the concrete for the first foundation for one of the new piers poured last week.
Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here.
Have your say
or a new account to join the discussion.