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Venice's Mose Project: A Progress Report
Elisabetta Spitz, commissioner of Venice's flood barrier system, discusses its effectiveness, challenges, and future plans.
Italian
Italy
Climate ChangeItalyInfrastructureEnvironmental ConcernsProject ManagementFlood Protection
Moses Project
Elisabetta SpitzNicholas Larché
- What were Spitz's initial priorities as commissioner?
- Her priorities upon arrival included changing the approach to construction, prioritizing the barriers, and enabling the system to function even with provisional installations. She oversaw its first activation in October 2020.
- What is Elisabetta Spitz's assessment of the Mose project's effectiveness?
- Elisabetta Spitz, the commissioner of the Moses project, states that the system is functioning and saving Venice from acqua alta, even though it has faced challenges and controversies.
- How does Spitz envision the future use of the Mose system in light of climate change?
- Spitz anticipates future use of partial barrier lifts for more targeted responses to different tides and weather conditions, aiming to improve efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
- What are the current challenges facing the project, and what is the status of funding?
- Current issues include sand accumulation at Punta Sabbioni and past concerns about corrosion, which Spitz says have been addressed through monitoring and expert consultation. The financial resources are sufficient for completion.
- What is the projected completion date for the Mose project, and what is the current status of maintenance?
- The project is nearing completion, with only minor construction work and testing remaining before its handover to the state in early 2026. Maintenance procedures are being reviewed for cost-effectiveness.