Morandi Bridge investigation continuing

The investigation into the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in the Italian city of Genoa is continuing. The failure of the bridge in August 2018 resulted in 43 fatalities. A central section of the structure collapsed and most of the deaths were of those crossing in vehicles at the time, although the deaths also included those hit by falling debris underneath. A number of engineers and managers with responsibilities relating to the bridge are now being investigated directly. The investigators are also looking
February 1, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

The investigation into the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in the Italian city of Genoa is continuing. The failure of the bridge in August 2018 resulted in 43 fatalities. A central section of the structure collapsed and most of the deaths were of those crossing in vehicles at the time, although the deaths also included those hit by falling debris underneath. A number of engineers and managers with responsibilities relating to the bridge are now being investigated directly. The investigators are also looking into whether proper checks were carried out on five other viaducts.

The contract for the design of the new bridge has already been awarded. However construction of the new bridge will be held back by the demolition of the existing structure. That this will be challenging is something of an understatement. Remove the stay cables, which carry heavy stresses, will pose particular issues. Demolition will have to be carried out without risking any more lives and without harming either the rail link or the existing residential and commercial buildings underneath. However the space underneath the bridge is limited, so bringing in the long reach demolition excavators and cranes needed will be difficult, as will removing sections of the structure. It will be an extremely specialised and difficult operation, potentially one of the most challenging demolition projects ever carried out anywhere.

Maintenance

Related Content

  • Hot Bitumen Safety – Still an Issue, Eleven Years On
    April 22, 2016
    Despite clear industry guidelines published over a decade ago and revised in 2015, level measurement experts Hycontrol still regularly encounter asphalt plants with insufficient safety protocols for preventing spills of hot bitumen. Introduction – Bitumen Storage in the UK Recently-issued information from Eurobitume UK has reinforced the need for stringent safety precautions on sites with bitumen storage facilities; key amongst them being the implementation of a robust level monitoring and alarm system (‘Si
    Read More
  • Tampere road tunnel - a strategic link for central Finland
    April 4, 2016
    Progress has been good for an important underground road link in Finland reports Adrian Greeman. Assuming all goes well, the new Ranta, or Lakeside, tunnel in Tampere will open in full six months early; traffic could be running by the end of this year. Work on transforming the rundown city centre with new developments will get a major boost. It is a major achievement on a four-year-long project bringing significant benefits to one of Finland's largest cities. From the government's point of view the scheme w
    Read More
  • São Paulo's landmark bridge construction
    February 21, 2012
    To improve access from the east to São Paulo city centre, main contractor Construbase Engenharia is building a road complex comprising three viaducts and access ramps. The greatest challenge in Brazil's largest city is the showpiece Padre Adelino viaduct, a 122m long single-arch, single-span, cable-stayed concrete bridge moulded in situ with a parabola-shaped arch and a single-cell post-tensioned cantilever caisson
    Read More
  • Pattullo Bridge deck near completion
    July 29, 2025
    For several weeks, crews have been installing concrete deck panels, steel girders and stay cables outward from the towers of the bridge that spans the Fraser River near Vancouver, Canada.
    Read More

Highlighted Content