The vulnerability of Venice has been cast in the spotlight by massive flooding in recent days.
The historic lagoon city of Venice exists on the edge of a double threat: As it sinks, the seas rise.
Against the backdrop of the disaster, an underwater barrier system that was supposed to protect the city still is not operational after more than 16 years of construction and at least $5.5-billion of public funds. It was supposed to be working by 2011.“It has been a generation of panels and engineers that have been working on it.
Though nearly completed, the project still has not been even partially tested, and some parts have already started to corrode. It has also been marked by bribery scandals and overruns. Its initial costs were projected at $1.7-billion.At the same time, the threats to the city of a quarter-million people are growing.
“It is a long-term issue. It is not the issue of one flood, we restore, and we go back to normal,” Rossler said.
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