A crucial test is pending for flood protection in Venice. A controversial flood protection system will be fully extended for the first time on Friday (from 10 a.m.). It has been planned for around 17 years and is supposed to better protect the Italian Unesco World Heritage City from floods. There are large barriers at three entrances to the lagoon. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte should also be present during the rehearsal.
Bureaucracy, corruption scandals and different political and economic interests had repeatedly delayed the billion dollar project. It should be ready by the end of 2021.
Record flood caused great damage in Venice
Venice is always flooded with floods, especially in the autumn and winter months. Last November, a record flood had wreaked havoc and brought tourism to a standstill. After that, politicians had promised that “Moses” would be finished really quickly.
However, many Venice residents and environmentalists have doubts about the benefits of the Mammut project. They fear that the underground facility, where barriers can be extended, will further endanger the lagoon's ecosystem.
Read also: Venice: Overrun city now begs for vacationers – how they want to use restart