NIGEL'S RAMBLES: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Three bridges by Calatrava in Reggio Emilia

The weather here has been awful of late. But I decided to take advantage of the weather conditions to take some “different” photographs of the three bridges we have here in Reggio Emilia designed by Calatrava.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

These rather beautiful bridges have been built in a rather unattractive area of Reggio Emilia. They are in the industrial area of the town and they span the A1 Autostrada and the high speed railway line. So I decided to photograph them in the dark to hide the grim surroundings.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

The horrible cloudy weather we are having gives some rather interesting effects at night.

The main bridge is built in steel and has a span of 220 metres with a box girder deck supported centrally by 50 pairs of wire cables hanging from a 50 metre high arch. The bridge deck is 27 meters wide. 4000 tons of steelwork was used in the construction. Like all cable supported bridges it is quite bouncy when heavy traffic passes over it or when it is hit by the movement of air when a high speed train passes underneath.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

The two identical bridges at either end of the main bridge are also cables stayed bridges with the cables arranged in such a way as to give curious visual effects as one moves around them. Each has a span of 179 metres with a bridge deck 17 metres wide – The tower that supports the bridge deck is 70 metres high with 26 pairs of cables giving a hyperbolic effect.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

The cost of these three bridges was about 47 million Euros and our friend Calatrava’s fee was 9.5 million Euros.

Bridge by Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

Monday, November 17, 2014

The Po in Flood

The autumn rains have come with a vengeance to Italy this year causing heavy flooding and the subsequent damage that floods bring. Much of the flooding can be blamed on the lack of respect for the power of water. Most Italian rivers are dry for most of the year, but can become raging torrents in just a few hours. This is often forgotten in Italy when these torrents are covered over to hide them away or part of the river bed is built on, leaving little space for expansion when the river fills with water during bad weather.

River Po in flood, Guastalla, RE

One river that is treated with the maximum respect is the River Po, Italy’s most important river . The river is contained within a system of levies that allow the river to expand into a flood plain called the “Golena” when it is in flood. Vast areas behind the levies are below the level of the river when it is in flood. The inhabitants keep a close eye on the river when the water reaches the main and last flood defence.

Dosolo,MN

Torre d'Oglio, MN

Dosolo,MN

When the river fills the “Golena” a strange beautiful water filled landscape is created . The “Golena” is mostly used to grow Popular trees for use in paper and pallet production. The trees are planted in regimented rows and give a particular beauty to the landscape especially when they are partially submerged in water.

Dosolo,MN

On Sunday there was a sunny break in the weather and so I decided to go along the main levee between Dosolo in the province of Mantova and Torre d’Oligo, which for me is one of the most spectacular places to see the flooding.

Dosolo,MN

I also crossed over the Po at Guastalla on foot and the swirling angry water below was something to be seen, with vast whirlpools forming in the lee of the bridge. Also from the bridge looking down the river one has a sensation of infinite space due to the vast expanse of water.