New bridge spans Venice's historic Grand Canal

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

VENICE, Aug 13 (Reuters) For the first time in more than 70 years, there will soon be a new way to cross the famous Grand Canal in the lagoon city of Venice.

After delays, cost overruns and plenty of complaints, the main, 270-tonne stretch of the modern-looking, glass-and-steel ''Calatrava bridge'' was installed this weekend.

The bridge is only the the fourth across the Grand Canal, Venice's main waterway, and connects the city's Santa Lucia train station to the once more difficult-to-reach Piazzale Roma.

The bridge will open to the public later this year and still awaits its final name.

For the moment it is temporarily nicknamed after its Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, whose projects include the planned 2,000-foot tall Chicago Spire and the new transport hub at Ground Zero in New York City.

Some Venetians have complained that an architect should have been selected from closer to home, and moan about the price tag.

The 10.7 million euro (14.6 million dollars) project is running at double its 2001 budget.

REUTERS KK SBA RAI0803

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