After decades of discussion and nearly twenty years of construction, Venice has finally been able to test its €7+ billion flood protection system. The good news is that all the parts worked; the bad news is that there is still no consensus on whether it will be effective.
The system, which consists of 84 gates that rise to block off the four entrances into Venice’s lagoon, is meant to pop into place in 30 minutes and create a barrier that can hold off a tide three metres above normal. The original cost estimate was €2 billion, but years of cost overruns, corruption scandals and engineering and construction delays have pushed the cost way up.
The test, marking the first time all four inlets were closed at once was also the first major test since a partial test in October revealed rusting parts and excess vibrations, but the city and national government believe that there are no major obstacles to the system going fully on line about a year from now.
Even then, there will be questions, as sea levels are rising worldwide, and Venice, lying low in the water, is especially vulnerable to continued flooding and the erosion of its subsurface structures. While the barrier is meant to be effective up to three metres, it has already had flooding in the past year that went to nearly two metres.
