Ponte John Fitzgerald Kennedy, National heritage bridge in Lecco and Malgrate, Italy.
Ponte John Fitzgerald Kennedy, known locally as Ponte Nuovo, is a road bridge linking Lecco and Malgrate at the southern end of Lake Como's eastern branch, where the Adda leaves the lake. Its deck rests on three large arches that span the entire river arm, a design by engineer Arturo Danusso. In 2020 the old parapets were replaced with stainless steel ones and new lighting was installed beneath the roadway.
The first surveys for a new bridge were ordered by the podestà in 1939–1940, and construction to Arturo Danusso's design began in 1942, halting the next year because of World War II. Work resumed in 1950 after Celestino Ferrario appealed to the transport minister, and the bridge opened on 23 October 1955. It was named for John F. Kennedy after his 1963 assassination.
The bridge carries the name of assassinated US President John F. Kennedy since 1963, previously called Ponte Nuovo. This name represents a connection that locals feel across national boundaries.
Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the bridge on foot or by bike, offering a direct route between the two shorelines. Access is at ground level, making navigation straightforward for different users.
The bridge marks where the lake water transitions into the Adda River, which eventually feeds the Po. This geographic position makes it a spot where one can observe the connection between the lake and the larger river system.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,896 contributors worldwide.