Ponte della Costituzione, Pedestrian bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy
Ponte della Costituzione is a pedestrian bridge over the Grand Canal linking Piazzale Roma with Santa Lucia railway station. Its single steel arch has a radius of 180 metres and carries a deck 94 metres long from the steps, 5.58 to 9.38 metres wide and up to 9.28 metres high. The paving mixes Istrian stone with tempered glass steps lit from below, and the glass parapets end in brass handrails with concealed LED lighting.
Santiago Calatrava gifted the city an executive design for a fourth Grand Canal crossing in 1997; the municipality commissioned him in November 1999, and the steel arch was moved into place by barge in July 2007. It opened to pedestrians on the night of September 11, 2008. In August 2008 Mayor Massimo Cacciari proposed the name for the 60th anniversary of the Italian Constitution, though Venetians mostly say ponte di Calatrava.
The official name, adopted in 2008, marks the 60th anniversary of the Italian Constitution; most Venetians instead call it ponte di Calatrava after its designer. Earlier proposals included ponte de la Zirada, for the bend of the Grand Canal where it stands, and ponte delle Due Sante, after the Santa Chiara and Santa Lucia fondamenta it joins.
The steps link Santa Lucia railway station with Piazzale Roma, offering a direct route for travelers on foot. Visitors should walk carefully, especially when the surface is wet, as the pavement can become slippery.
Officials replaced the glass sections with trachyte stone in 2022 after slipping incidents occurred in wet conditions. This change altered not only safety but also the original appearance of the walking surface.
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