In Janov, the first section of the bridge deck was laid at the site of the collapsed viaduct

Genoa - In northern Italy's Genoa today, construction workers laid the first part of the deck of the new highway bridge being constructed on pilings. It will replace the viaduct that collapsed last year, resulting in the deaths of 43 people. This was reported by the ANSA agency. The laying of the first part of the bridge was preceded by a ceremony attended by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Also present was the world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, a native of Genoa, who designed the new bridge for the city free of charge.

"Together with the city of Genoa, we have committed to build the new bridge as quickly as possible... The rebirth of Genoa is now taking on concrete shapes," Conte said. "We will build the bridge in a maximum of seven months, that is a world record," promised Giuseppe Bono, head of the Fincantieri group carrying out the construction.

The collapse of the Genoa bridge in August 2018 was one of the worst disasters of its kind in modern European history. A 200-meter section of the bridge plummeted 45 meters, hanging from the westernmost of three high pillars. Along with the roadway, more than thirty personal and cargo vehicles fell onto warehouses, the railway, and into the flooded Polcevera River. 43 people died. Among those who survived the collapse was a Czech truck driver.

The demolition of the remaining part of the bridge began in February this year, and in July, explosives experts detonated the last two massive concrete pillars. However, construction of the new viaduct began in June alongside the demolition; today workers placed the first, 50-meter long section of the deck on the new pillars, which are 45 meters tall, and the completed bridge will measure a total of 1100 meters.

According to its designer Piano, the bridge's project is intended to resemble a ship and evoke the famous seafaring history of the port city, and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2020. The budget is 202 million euros (5.2 billion crowns).