ARCUS — Bridge Failure Research

ARCUS Atlas record

Bridge over Gesso stream

Total collapse of a cycle-pedestrian bridge over the Gesso stream near Boves (Cuneo, Piemonte) on 15 July 2002. Total collapse during the major summer flood that struck the Valle Gesso on 15 July 2002. The Gesso torrent overflowed destroying multiple bridges in a single day. The Valle Gesso is chronically flood-prone: major alluvioni struck in 2002 and again in October 2020 (which destroyed kilometres of roads and multiple bridges near Entracque, Valdieri and Roccavione). No fatalities or injuries were reported from this specific collapse. Piena documentata; meccanismo di dettaglio non ricostruibile dalle fonti disponibili.

ARCUS ID
IT02.07.03
Date
2002-07-15
Municipality
Boves
Province
Cuneo
Region
Piemonte
Coordinates
44.3644, 7.5621 · exact location
Crossing
Gesso stream
Use
Cycle-pedestrian
Severity
TC
Structural type
Beam bridge
Material
Reinforced concrete
Cause category
Natural
Specific cause
Hydraulic
Failure trigger
Flood
Cause evidence
Unspecified
Source confidence
High
Victims
0
Injuries
0

Documentary sources (3)

  1. Evento alluvionale del 14-18 e del 23-26 novembre 2002 (Official/Technical · ARPA Piemonte · 2020-09-30)
  2. Eventi alluvionali in Piemonte (Official/Technical · ARPA Piemonte · 2003-12-09)
  3. Bridge collapses in Italy across the 21st century: survey and statistical analysis (Scientific · Journal Paper · 2025-01-01)

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