The project of the new bridge on the Polcevera replacing the collapsed Morandi viaduct is by Renzo Piano, and it has a green soul. The Genoese architect gave it to his city for free, as he declared, “I do it for civic spirit and for free.”
His competitor was the king of the bridges – Santiago Calatrava – with the construction company Cimolai. The new six-lane bridge will cost 202 million euros, while demolition works will amounting to 19 million. And it will be, in the words of the architect “A beautiful bridge, beautiful as it is the beauty in Genoa, a very Genoese bridge, simple but not banal, a steel bridge, safe and durable. bridges must not collapse.”
“We have chosen the Renzo Piano bridge based on different criteria: costs, aesthetics, ease of reconstruction, time, risks and maintenance. Both projects were good, there was no comparison or competition, but a choice,” said Genoa's mayor and commissioner for the bridge's reconstruction, Marco Bucci.
Both projects are characterized by sobriety. There was the hypothesis of uniting the two, but a hybrid proved impractical.
Renzo Piano's project is reminiscent of a ship, the mayor says: “It is a reference to the city of Genoa, the piers are thin and slender.”
The winner of the announcement recalls the 43 victims with solar powered lanterns. But there is not only the bridge, there is also a project of urban regeneration in the area under the bridge, which will be designed by Urban Lab and architect Anna Iole Corsi in the spring. It will be an international competition for the Campasso area. Then there will be further competitions aimed for young architects
Santiago Calatrava project foresaw fewer pylons but had more capitals on the track, a vision that did not meet the psychology of the inhabitants of Genoa following the collapse of Ponte Morandi. They had asked the mayor for a replacement bridge that would transmit strength and security, visually.
The demolition of the former bridge, which began last weekend, is expected to continue until the end of March 2019.
The bridge will no longer be called Morandi, but concludes Bucci, it will be like "we Genoese. Well planted, it will go forward step by step, and will reach the goal. And above all it will be a beautiful thing ». Cimolai, opposite construction company, has already stated that they will not oppose the committee's decision. Piano will work with Salini Impregilo and Fincantieri to complete the project.
