Top Italian architect to oversee Genoa bridge reconstruction

Top Italian architect to oversee Genoa bridge reconstruction
By Euronews
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The renowned Genoan architect Renzo Piano works' include the London Shard, the Pompidou centre in Paris and the Whitney Museum in New York.

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The jagged remains of the collapsed Genoa bridge still scar the sky line above the port city. When a section fell in August, it was described as one of the worst tragedies in modern Italian history.

Today there’s anticipation of renewal - with the city's mayor awarding the project to construct a new bridge.

"Reconstruction works will last for 12 months,” says the mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci. “So we are confident that by the end of the new year we'll have a new bridge. Perhaps it won't be accessible yet but everyone will be able to look at it and take pictures."

The renowned Genoan architect Renzo Piano has agreed to oversee the 200 million euro project. His works include the London Shard, the Pompidou centre in Paris, and the Whitney Museum in New York.

Last August’s tragedy was caught on camera. The 51-year-old Morandi bridge suddenly fell - crushing vehicles and buildings underneath.

Steel rods suspending the bridge had been slowly decaying for decades - badly damaged by the sea air.

An animation of the new bridge has been shown to the public. Piano says Genoa needs a beautiful and safe construction that would provide "rebirth and redemption".

It's said he submitted sketches for the bridge without charge.

One feature will be the inclusion of 43 very tall illuminated posts in the shape of ships sails - one for each victim of the disaster.

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