Venice Mose Project
 

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the Mose Project to begin this spring? Does anyone know if the project is going forward? All of the info I am finding seems to be old.

An NPR report not long ago said it was started... and still lots of doubts about its efficacy. But not sure. Things in Italy often take years to get done it seems - like the proverbial scaffolds on old buildings that are now considered to be part of the facades.

That's what I thought might be the case. This is the most recent info that I can find. It looks as though after years of discussion, debate and analysis, the final approvals were obtained in Nov/06.

http://www.veniceword.com/mosesystem.html

Marcia-can't talk now, but the project is about a fourth of the way completed-MUCH dissention-the Mayor of Venice is four-square opposed to it, and the President of the Veneto-is 100 percent for it, causing rather nasty commentary to issue from the latter to the former.

Thanks for that info girlspy. I'd read that the project is not short on detractors. If it succeeds, however, it will be a wonder of the modern world. If you have a chance later I'd love to hear more.

Ah-ha! You have answered a question that has been puzzling to me.

A few weeks ago in Venice, while on the ferry from Lido back to St. Mark's, we noticed an awful lot of construction "in the water", cranes, pilings, all sorts of equipment. We were wondering if this was the project we'd read about having to do with stopping the flooding, or at least diverting the high tide.

Interesting link. Thanks!

Venice has been sinking, some say under the weight of tourism, for centuries and the old way was just to build up the entrances, doors, etc. of buildings, which some advocate over the MOSE thing, which apparently could reek havoc on the natural conditions of the lagoon and may well not work some experts claim.