The rump of the Morandi Bridge
that collapsed in Genoa killing 43 on August 14 is dangerous and
must be either demolished or made safe as soon as possible, the
emergency committee on the disaster said Wednesday.
The remaining eastern portion of the wrecked bridge is
unsafe, according to inspectors led by architect Roberto
Ferrazza, the committee said.
The committee said it had written to the transport and
infrastructure ministry and the concessionary, Autostrade per
l'Italia, to "initiate the necessary intervention".
There is an "elevated" degree of corrosion on a key remaining
pylon in the bridge, Genoa Prefect Fiamma Spena said on
Wednesday.
Spena said the head of the transport ministry emergency
committee had sent a report "flagging an evident state of
corrosion of an elevated degree on pylon 10".
Pylon 10 is the one that is keeping up the eastern rump of
the bridge.
The emergency committee has flagged danger at pylon 10 but "I
don't know if we can speak of a risk of (further) collapse,"
Spena said.
There were "elevated critical issues" at the pylon, she said.
The remaining eastern pylon 10 is in worse condition than
another pylon that gave way in the collapse, inspectors said
Wednesday.
Pylon 10 shows a level of material decay of four on a
five-point scale while pylon nine had deterioration measured at
three, they said.
All that remains of the bridge must be demolished as soon as
possible because of the danger it poses, Liguria Governor
Giovanni Toti said.
"I agree with the mayor and I've heard from prosecutor Cozzi
several times, we have to aim for the demolition in the shortest
time possible of all that remains of the Morandi Bridge, an ugly
carcass and an ugly symbol," Toti said.
"I have sent a notice that could turn into an injunction to
be fulfilled by the Autostrade company to proceed in the
meantime with making safe and bringing down pylon 10 on the east
side," he said.
Toti said he was awaiting an "immediate safety plan" from
Autostrade.
Police seized files from Autostrade Wednesday relating to a
probe into the collapse.
Design flaws and poor maintenance are suspected in the
collapse, which gained headlines worldwide.
The government is seeking to strip Autostrade of its motorway
license in the wake of the disaster.
Several officials have also said that Autostrade, which was
privatised 20 years ago, should be re-nationalised to curb the
profit motive and make sure enough money is being spent on
maintenance.
A role for government bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (Savings
and Loans Bank) has been touted in recent days by several
officials.
But Industry Minister Giovanni Tria has sniffed at the
notion.
Italy's anti-corruption authority ANAC on Wednesday wrote to
Autostrade asking the highway company for documents relating to
the maintenance of the bridge.
It requested planning documents, technical details and
information on the contractual process.
ANAC also asked for reports which Autostrade may have
requested from the contractor, Italy's transport ministry.
ANAC said it was looking at possible disparities between
planned investments and investments that were actually made.
A reported failure to carry out 72.89% of planned road
infrastructure intervention concerns investments to boost the
Genoa road system and in no way relates to maintenance of the
collapsed Morandi Bridge, Autostrade said Wednesday.
In a letter of clarification to anti-corruption authority
ANAC, Autostrade said the data "does not derive from choices
taken by the company but is the effect of notable delays on the
part of competent institutions".
The Atlantia board on Wednesday started weighing the impact
of the transport ministry's letter to Autostrade per l'Italia
seeking to revoke its license for running Italy's highways, the
Benetton-controlled holding company said in a statement.
Atlantia is weighing the letter "with regard to the group's
financial instruments," it said.
The government wants to strip Autostrade of its concessionary
license after the bridge collapse.
The board also said it was considering the effects of
continual statements about it, given that it is quoted on the
Milan bourse.
It also said it fully supported Autostrade's 500-million-euo
plan for reconstruction and relief in Genoa.
Atlantia shares fell another 3.8% Wednesday with 590 million
euros in share capital going up in smoke.
Moody's said it was looking at Atlantia and Autostrada's
ratings, as well as that of another unit, Aeroporti di Roma,
with an eye to possible downgrades.
Also on Wednesday, Ligurian regional officials said Serie A
players will take the field this weekend wearing 'Genoa in our
hearts' shirts.
The shirts will also be worn by match officials on the second
day of play in Italian soccer's top tier, the officials went on
to say.
The initiative of the Lega Serie A will be "a way of
remembering the victims of the collapse of the Morandi Bridge
and supporting the city of Genoa", they said.
The phrase will be flanked by a drawing of the collapsed
bridge with a heart formed by many smaller hearts representing
the people involved.
President Sergio Mattarella will skip the opening night of
the Venice Film festival on August 29 as a sign of mourning for
the Genoa bridge collapse and also for the Calabrian flash flood
that killed 10, a presidential statement said Wednesday.
Wishing the 75th Venice fest every success, Mattarella
reiterated the importance of the film sector for Italy and
confirmed his great appreciation for all those who work in it.
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