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New Venice Bridge To Be Constructed Off-Site To Test Weight

Posted by: Nate Berg

11 May 2007 - 10:00am

The first new bridge in Venice, Italy, in 70 years will first be constructed in a hangar before it is actually placed over the city's canal -- which many fear will cause the canal's banks to sink under the tremendous weight.

"Engineers began to worry about the weight, which is reported to be equivalent to 75 fully loaded articulated lorries on both sides of the canal. Mara Rumiz, in charge of public works in the city, said: 'We have taken these precautions on account of the well-known fragility of the canal's banks, bearing in mind that Venice is not built on rock but on the contrary has a tendency to sink.'"

"Also influencing the decision to have a dry run is the fact that the final installation will entail closure of the Grand Canal, the city's main artery, with a hugely disruptive effect on commercial and tourist life."

Full Story: Dry run for Venice's first new bridge in 70 years
Source: The Independent, May 9, 2007
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The goals of densification, infill, and containment may be generally appropriate for U.S. cities, but not for cities in the developing world where average urban population densities are over four times higher than in the U.S.
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