VENETIAN MOTOR TRANSPORT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 February 1931, Page 12

VENETIAN MOTOR TRANSPORT

MOTOR BOATS MOOTED

An unceasing fight is being waged in Italy Letween antiquity and modernity, especially in the matter of transportation. lfecent suggestions favour the abolition of the gondolas, replacing them with motor boats—a solution which would spoil Venice's most alluring appeal. For a while at least, the problem has been solved by Premier Mussolini, who has authorised the erection of a new bridge just south of the present railroad bridge, which is tiie only connection between the lagoon city and th? mainland. The new bridge will allow the passage of tramcars, motor-cars and pedestrians, thus overcoming the difficulty of providing adequate communication between Venice and Mestre.

The project only contemplates motor-

I cars arriv.ng at the very edge of the 'city, where they will be left in gar--1 ages. The occupants will proceed by foot or gondola. It is true that the new bridge will pass over the Grand Canal, but as soon as it has been crossed, all facilities for the further advance of motor-cars will cease entirely. At the Mestre end the bridge will lead directly into the new automobile speedway now being built, which, when completed, will stretch across Northern Italy from Venice to Genoa. This should prove of great advantage to. Venice, greatly increasing the numbers who visit the city every year, for it will then be possible, from almost any point in Northern Italy, to drive at high speed right into Venice along a splendid highway.