Genoa bridge collapse -14th August, dozens feared dead

[Sasaferrato]

Wonder if it could be one of those big construction projects the Mafia often ran, with associated poor building standards and dodgy concrete? Big construction contracts are / were a huge source of funds for the mob. Just a thought.

35 dead now

I did remark to Mrs Sas that I've never seen so little steel reinforcement as was in the piers of that bridge. It should be circa 25% in a structure like that.

 

[Sasaferrato]

It’s the A10 (E80) motorway - most motorway in Italy is pay-as-you-go toll. Though charges can tend to disappear as one heads further south. The only bit I recall driving on that was ‘toll free’ was in Sicily where no one bothered to staff the booths and there were no automated means of payment collection (can’t think why! ).

It isn't expensive though, Brenner through to Mestre was €26.10, for 214 miles. there is also a charge for the Europabrücke in Austria. Even driving the route is absolutely spectacular, 300' high bridges, sections bolted to the rock etc. Kind of makes you think though, how safe is it?

 

[petee]

Genoa Bridge Collapse: The Road to Tragedy

 

[cupid_stunt]

Genoa Bridge Collapse: The Road to Tragedy

Wow, what a read, sadly for all the wrong reasons.