Watch Your Step! Infamous Venice Bridge Faces Costly Repairs


Countless tourists and locals have injured themselves on the notoriously slippery glass footbridge.

Back in 2008, the multi-million dollar Ponte della Costituzione footbridge opened after several delays and cost overruns, and things quickly took a literal nosedive from there.

Designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava and built over the Grand Canal near Venice’s train station, the structure was intended to symbolize Venice’s modernity, but the smooth, glass surface proved to be quite the hazard — especially for unsuspecting tourists, who too often would slip, fall and bust open their chins and foreheads, The New York Times reports.

Following years of grumbling and protests, Venice’s leaders announced that they will replace the glass with trachyte stone — a safer alternative that isn’t nearly as easy on the eyes.

The move will cost the city nearly $600,000, and the decision was made after years of failed attempts to improve the traction of the surface, which is often coated in rain or mist.

Some tests still need to be done to ensure the stone will work, but the city is determined to move forward in order to prevent the tumbles that occur on a near-daily basis, and the subsequent lawsuits that follow.

Until then, watch your step!

 

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