Work is ongoing on the construction of the hydraulic infrastructure that will allow floodwaters from the River Arno to be diverted towards the Pizziconi expansion basin, located in the Figline Valdarno area.
The expansion basin is a critical piece of infrastructure for mitigating hydraulic risk in the Tuscan region, particularly for the city of Florence. This reservoir system forms part of a strategic plan to manage Arno River flooding and reduce flood risk. The basin, set for testing in 2020, is designed to hold up to 3.5 million cubic metres of water. Construction of the intake structure, currently underway, involves crossing key infrastructure such as the A1 motorway and the high-speed railway line.
The hydraulic works beneath the motorway, designed to handle flood outflows, have already been completed without disrupting vehicular traffic. This was achieved by inserting three concrete monoliths, each with a 15-metre-wide and 5-metre-high box section, constructed outside the motorway embankment. The canal and intake structure in the expansion basin are also nearing completion, where three radial gates will be installed to serve Tuscany’s flood control system and regulate water flow.
The images capture moments from the insertion of the hydraulic monoliths beneath the motorway embankment while traffic was maintained.
