The work and the technique: Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, Italy

The construction of the new Genoa bridge, entrusted to the PerGenova Consortium—formed by Webuild and Fincantieri—began in parallel with the removal of the Morandi Bridge debris and was carried out in eight distinct phases. 

The sub-foundations were built first, where the entire structure rests and puts its weight in full. Deep excavations were made, reinforcement cages placed, and concrete poured.

Then the plinths were built, the foundations of the reinforced concrete that join the piles of the sub-foundations, upon which the piers that support the deck rest.

As the plinths were completed, the shafts of the 18 piers supporting the ashlars and the deck and unload their weight onto the sub-foundations, were built progressively in elevation.

The bridge deck was then prepared by setting up and assembling the span caissons, on site, the steel elements prefabricated in Fincantieri's factories, shipped by sea to Sestri Ponente. And from there, transferred to the site by overland exceptional transport.

The bridge's spans then subsequently began to be raised: through SPMTs (self-propelled modular transporters) and lattice cranes, the ashlars were lifted to height, hooked to the head of the piers, and the spans were raised and bolted to the ashlars. 

Once the bridge deck was made, the concrete slab was prepared. It was done by casting both from the ground, with special 60-metre jet pumps, and at height, at the bridge's ends.

The bridge was then completed by buillding the asphalt roadbed, laying the safety elements, the horizontal and vertical signaling elements, and building the lighting system and smart bridge system: photovoltaic panels to ensure its energy supply, internal air dehumidification systems to prevent corrosion of materials, and a centralized, robotic activity monitoring system.