by Alessandra Cardone
ROME, Italy, June 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – The remaining towers of a major bridge, that collapsed last summer, in the north-west city of Genoa, which killed 43 people, were destroyed on Friday, in order to open the way for reconstruction.
The operation was carried out by firefighters and demolition experts with the Italian army, under constant monitoring of the national Civil Protection agency. About 3,500 residents were evacuated for safety reasons.
The so-called Morandi Bridge — originally a 1,182-metre viaduct, connecting Genoa west and east, and linking the city to two major highways — had stood some 50 metres high over the city.
The still-standing towers nos. 10 and 11, were demolished at 9:37 a.m. local time, through a controlled explosion, with dynamite and plastic positioned on the bridge’s pillars and stays, the local government said.
“All operations were carried out in accordance with methods and times announced,” Genoa municipality specified in a statement. “From today on, reconstruction can definitely begin,” it added.
The explosion sent thousands of tonnes of concrete to the ground, and emergency teams put water tanks around the place, and made large use of water cannons, to help suppress the dust caused by the fall of the huge remains.
Light sea breeze blowing on Genoa on Friday morning, also helped avoid a major spread of the dust, pushing it towards nearby mountains, local authorities explained.
The Interior Ministry, said, “Security checks on the buildings’ statics and quality of the air were being carried out after the operation, for security reasons.
The bridge Morandi — built between 1963 and 1967 — partially collapsed on Aug 14, last year, while at least 30 cars and five heavy trucks were passing through it.
Overall, 43 people lost their life in the incident, and another 15 were seriously injured.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated in the days following the collapse, and at least 311 households among them had to permanently abandon their houses, which were to be demolished for safety reasons.
The demolition of the remaining towers on Friday, would now allow the construction of a new viaduct to kick off. The project will be led by major Italian architect, Renzo Piano, who, after the tragedy volunteered for a new bridge design.
The work will be carried out by a consortium led by infrastructure company, Salini Impregilo with Fincantieri shipbuilder and Italferr, a subsidiary of Italy’s railways company, Ferrovie dello Stato.
According to details unveiled to the media by Piano and local authorities in Genoa, the new bridge would overall cost some 202 million euros (229.8 U.S. dollars), and was said to be ready by the end of 2019.– NNN-XINHUA
