Skip to main content

Collapsed Italian bridge to be replaced

Plans are being drawn up for a new structure to replace the Morandi Bridge in Italy, which collapsed recently with disastrous results. The Italian road firm Autostrade per l'Italia (ASPI) has a draft design that features eight supports, unlike the failed Morandi Bridge, which was designed with 11 supports. The new bridge design also includes a deck that features emergency lanes, which were not included on the old Morandi Bridge.
September 5, 2018 Read time: 1 min
Plans are being drawn up for a new structure to replace the Morandi Bridge in Italy, which collapsed recently with disastrous results. The Italian road firm 3623 Autostrade per l'Italia (ASPI) has a draft design that features eight supports, unlike the failed Morandi Bridge, which was designed with 11 supports. The new bridge design also includes a deck that features emergency lanes, which were not included on the old Morandi Bridge.


Meanwhile a plan has also been drawn up for the removal of the failed Morandi Bridge structure. Different demolition techniques will be utilised to remove the damaged structure, including the use of hydraulic cutting equipment and breakers mounted on long reach excavators for controlled demolition, as well as tightly-controlled blasting. One section of the failed bridge stands above housing and presents particular challenges to its safe removal. Should the demolition work go to plan, the structure should be removed by October 2018.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Autobahn bridge in Bavaria demolished with explosives (VIDEO)
    July 1, 2013
    A demolition contractor in the north of Bavaria recently used 200kg of explosives to demolish an old autobahn viaduct. Situated close to the town of Bad Kissingen and to the north of the city of Nuremberg, the 46 year old A7 viaduct had reached the end of its working life and a new structure had been built alongside in this scenic rural area. Pre-weakening work had been carried out using hydraulic breakers along with drilling the necessary blastholes, to ensure the supports and deck collapsed in a controlle
  • The world’s longest suspension bridge
    June 24, 2024
    The world’s longest suspension bridge is the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey. This engineering marvel links Gelibolu with Lapseki, forming a key section of the 101km highway linking Malkara with Çanakkale. *Article produced in partnership with the General Directorate of Highways (KGM), Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Republic of Türkiye.
  • Herrenknecht's record-breaker
    February 13, 2012
    A Herrenknecht S-574 Earth Pressure Balance Shield is being used on a major highway project in Italy.
  • Italian highway bridge and tunnel link
    June 20, 2022
    A project in Central Italy is seeing the construction of new tunnel stretches, a bridge and a viaduct. The work is being carried out on State Road 318 by BESIX in partnership with DONATI, close to Perugia in Umbria.