A video produced last year for the project reported, over footage of a traffic jam on the bridge, that 25 million vehicles a year crossed over it.īut the hugely expensive project was bitterly opposed by locals – much to the fury of Genoan businessmen. The case for the Gronda centred on the over-use and overload of the Morandi Bridge. Experts called it a 'failure of engineering', a 'failed technology', and pointed to other Morandi projects that had collapsed.įor many years the city has had a plan – the 'Gronda di Genova' – a huge motorway bypass taking traffic to and from the nearby French border along a gentle arc through a massive tunnel and a smaller bridge, taking much of the load off the Morandi – including many of the heavy long-haul trucks.
And there was a constant murmur of concern about its stability. By the end of the 1990s Genoa had spent almost as much money repairing the bridge as it had cost in the first place. The bridge has always required extensive maintenance work. With the continuous vibrations of traffic, the cement cracks let air pass through, which reaches the internal metal structure and making it oxidise'. 'Fifty years ago there was unlimited confidence in reinforced concrete.
Genoese architect Diego Zoppi told ANSA news agency the bridge was flawed from the start. It was an unusual design – using much more concrete than was customary, even encasing stay-cables within it (hiding signs of corrosion). The huge Morandi Bridge, spanning the gorge where the port of Genoa sits amidst coastal mountains, was built in the 1960s to a bold plan by Italian civil engineer Riccardo Morandi. But some of it may end up resting uncomfortably close to the Italian government. In the wake of this tragedy there is plenty of guilt to share around. 'There cannot be such slaughter without guilt,' said Matteo Salvini, minister of the interior, one of two deputy prime ministers and the most powerful politician in the country. * Italy bridge collapse: How could this happen? * Death toll hits 39 in Italy bridge collapse 'homicide' investigation begins * Hundreds of structures in Italy are at risk of collapse
* Three children heading on summer vacations among Italy bridge dead 'If there are people responsible they will have to pay,' said Danilo Toninelli, infrastructure minister. An 80-metre span fell to the ground far below, cars and trucks tumbling with it, killing at least 39 people including three children. Just before midday on Tuesday, in the middle of a violent storm, a massive pillar of the 1.1-kilometre bridge collapsed. These were the words of a frustrated industry leader in Genoa, back in 2012. 'In 10 years the Morandi Bridge will collapse… and we will remember the name of whoever said 'no'.
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