Bridge Collapses in Italy, Newest Crumbling Infrastructure

A large section of the bridge collapsed in Tuscany, the latest example of Italy's infrastructure collapsing following years of negligence.

Police and fire services crossed the entry road to the bridge across the Magra River in Albiano Magra in the province of Massa Carrara, according to Carabinieri's footage of the scene Wednesday.

Given Italy's national coronavirus lockdown, there were only two tracks on the provincial road at the time. Italian news reports said one of the drivers had been hospitalized.

The Anas Road Agency sent inspectors to the bridge last year after a crack formed after heavy rains. The portion has been approved for further use, according to the Italian Organization ANSA.

The mayor of Aulla, Roberto Vallettini, had written to Anas flagging that heavy trucks were repeatedly using the two-lane bridge because of nearby road closures.

The bridge collapse comes as Italy is still working to rebuild the heavily used Morandi Bridge in Genoa, which collapsed in 2018 during a rainstorm, killing 43 people.

Source: AP