ARCUS Atlas record
Bridge over Cervo stream
Total collapse of a cycle-pedestrian bridge over the Cervo stream in Biella (Piemonte) on 5 June 2002, part of the major Valle Cervo flood event. Total collapse during the major flood event that struck the Valle Cervo and Biellese on 5 June 2002. The Cervo river and its tributaries (Rio Ara, Rio Borghesi, Rio Piaro) overflowed catastrophically, destroying multiple bridges on 5 June 2002. The 2002 alluvione is documented as one of the two major flood events in the Cervo valley's modern history alongside the devastating 1968 flood (58 deaths). No fatalities or injuries were reported from this specific collapse. ARPA Piemonte, Quaderno n.19 'Evento alluvionale del 4-6 giugno 2002 nel territorio biellese' (2004): a Biella, poco a valle della confluenza con il T. Oropa, la passerella in pietra di inizio '800 ('Ponte delle Signore', collegamento tra le fabbriche dell'ex Lanificio Pria) fu completamente asportata dalle acque del Cervo, con profonde erosioni laterali e mobilizzazione del materiale in alveo.
- ARCUS ID
- IT02.06.03
- Date
- 2002-06-05
- Municipality
- Biella
- Province
- Biella
- Region
- Piemonte
- Coordinates
- 45.5753, 8.0526 · exact location
- Crossing
- Cervo stream
- Use
- Cycle-pedestrian
- Severity
- TC
- Structural type
- Beam bridge
- Material
- Reinforced concrete
- Cause category
- Natural
- Specific cause
- Hydraulic
- Failure trigger
- Flood
- Failure process
- Overtopping / hydrodynamic action
- Component involved
- Entire structure
- Cause evidence
- Documented
- Source confidence
- High
- Victims
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
Documentary sources (3)
- Eventi alluvionali in Piemonte (Official/Technical · ARPA Piemonte · 2003-12-09)
- 5 giugno 2002 – violento nubifragio: Netro e Campiglia Cervo isolate per crollo ponti (News · BiellaClub · 2002-06-05)
- Bridge collapses in Italy across the 21st century: survey and statistical analysis (Scientific · Journal Paper · 2025-01-01)