Home>News Center>World
         
 

$5.2b project to save Venice to proceed
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-29 21:18

A $5.2 billion project to build flood barriers to save Venice from its high tides will go forward, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday.

The disputed project "is the solution to a problem that has always existed," Berlusconi said at the end of a meeting with members of his Cabinet and officials from the region surrounding Venice.

"Venice is an important pearl for the Venetians ... for Europe and for the world," the premier added.

Some environmentalists have protested plans, originally approved by the government in 2003, to build a flood barrier to ease the effect of high tides that routinely deluge Venice's streets.

Dubbed "Moses," after the Biblical figure who parted the Red Sea, the project calls for hinged barriers to be built in the seabed just off Venice that could be raised when high tides threaten the city. Berlusconi said the project would be completed by 2011.

Berlusconi said the upcoming budget would include funding to help generate "positive choices for Venice and other municipalities near the Laguna."

Some environmentalists say the project will turn Venice into a stagnant pond, while supporters say it is necessary to help prevent the sinking city from being inundated even further.



Australia fending off bird flu
Massive Indonesian vaccination drive against polio resumes
Hurricane Rita aftermath in the United States
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

US happy with China yuan moves, wants more

 

   
 

China share prices rebound; Yuan up

 

   
 

Roberts to be confirmed as U.S. Chief Justice

 

   
 

Taipei urged to respond to panda goodwill

 

   
 

China, US edge closer to textile trade deal

 

   
 

Court rejects Koizumi war shrine visit suit

 

   
  Indicted DeLay steps down from US House post
   
  Court rejects Koizumi war shrine visit suit
   
  London terrorist police chief warns of threats
   
  Proposed freedom museum dropped from World Trade Center site
   
  Pakistan's Aziz wants nuclear weapons-free Korean Peninsula
   
  Israel shuts down Hamas charities
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement