Barriers and Gates Take Shape to Protect Venice From the Sea
Venetians have waited for centuries for a solution to tidal flooding of their famous lagoon. Although visible elements of a $6.7-abillion barrier system are largely now in place, funding shortfalls may further test the patience of the island’s citizens as engineering officials warn of delay.
The vast consortium with the turnkey responsibility for safeguarding Venice is now preparing to build caissons across the lagoon’s three inlets. Caissons will house oscillating buoyant flap-gates that will pivot from the seabed around five times a year to isolate the 550-sq-kilometer lagoon from high Adriatic Sea tides that submerge the historic city.