The main structure of a new motorway bridge in Genoa, Italy, was completed yesterday, a milestone that offered some relief to a stricken country.
The new structure replaces a landmark bridge that collapsed in August 2018, killing 43 people.
It was completed despite Italy being in the midst of a severe novel coronavirus epidemic.
The last 50m span of the bridge, designed by Genoa-born star architect Renzo Piano, was lifted by giant cranes at a height of more than 40m and slotted into place.
The final moment was marked by the sound of blaring sirens at the construction site, echoed by more sirens from ships in Genoa’s port harbour.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the work that had gone on in Genoa was “a symbol” for a country “that knows how to stand up again, that rolls up its sleeves, that does not give up” in the face of tragedy.
He travelled especially to the northwestern port city to witness the completion of the bridge, a steel-and-concrete structure more than 1km long.
It was a rare break from Rome for the premier, who has been leading the country through a novel coronavirus epidemic that has so far claimed nearly 27,000 lives and infected nearly 200,000 people.
It will still be a few months until the bridge can be used.
Lighting and traffic management systems still need to be installed, and a layer of asphalt needs to be applied.
“The bridge is not finished but today we celebrate the reconnection” of the eastern and western sides of the city, Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci said.
He said that the new bridge should open to traffic in July.
The old Morandi bridge, a giant cable-stayed reinforced concrete design from the 1960s, was a key artery that connected Genoa and its large port to motorways leading to France and other Italian cities.
Its collapse was a national trauma which also highlighted the poor state of public infrastructure across Italy following decades of neglect.
The motorway operator responsible for the Morandi, Autostrade per l’Italia, is under criminal investigation for allegedly skimping on maintenance to maximise profits.