Poor state of Italian bridges - photos

ValDa
ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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edited September 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Here are photos taken by a friend of mine, of a bridge on the E717 between Turin and Savona, showing the perilous state of the support structures and the beams supporting the deck.  If you're planning an Italian holiday be aware of the state of some of the bridges you may be driving across!

 

 

Comments

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited September 2018 #2

    "K"  will be along in a minute to reassure you that all is OK,   he wants our Highway Engineers to be sent to Europe for lessons....

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited September 2018 #3

    My OH used to be a structural engineers - specialising in railway bridges.  His comment begins with F and can't be repeated on here.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited September 2018 #4

    Now let me think, where was that one that fell down recently?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2018 #5

    Mind you i think that HGVs are doing their  increasing bit in the uk to demolish bridges, by either running into them, or driving 44t vehicle's over them on roads with 7.5t weight limits surprised

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2018 #6
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited October 2018 #7

    In an article in 'The Local Italy' (a newspaper for ex-pats) they put the blame firmly on the Italian companies employed to build (throw up) more than a thousand of these bridges, and on the the quality of materials and building techniques they used.    It's worth a read for anyone interested in the more technical aspects. 

    More modern bridges, such as the Millau viaduct, use more modern techniques, and are also subject to regular inspections and remedial work (we've seen them taking place).  
     

     

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited October 2018 #8

    Not long before another Tragedy from the look of it, then more hand wringing and ' Lessons will be learned'  only they are not.

    The term ' jerry built'  comes to mind.

    However 'jerry' cant refer to the Germans as the best example of  concrete i have ever seen was a German built  bunker on Jersey that had fallen into the sea when the cliff collapsed, and had then been washed by the sea for 40 years and was still as good as when it was built. Admittedly by slave labor.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2018 #9
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited October 2018 #10

    It's sad that the standard of Italian Civil Engineering  has deteriorated so much with the passing of centuries. The Romans were excellent Civil Engineers, they built bridges and aqueducts which are still standing to this date. 

    K smile

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #11

    Good point K.  Here's one the Italians built earlier.

  • rayjsj
    rayjsj Forum Participant Posts: 930
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    edited October 2018 #12

    Not only strong and long lasting, but beautiful with it.

    Mind you it hasnt had overloaded 44 tonne lorries pounding it day and night.

    What did the Romans ever do for us?  Baths, central heating, good straight roads.....

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