GENOA – World-renowned architect Renzo Piano has taken on the design and construction of the new Genoa bridge, replacing the structure that collapsed in August killing 43 people, Genoa officials report.

 The Italian companies Salini Impregilo and Fincantieri were awarded the contract by city officials, before confirming that Piano would be in charge of the project.

 According to reports, Piano, best known for designing London’s The Shard and the New York Times headquarters, submitted a design for the bridge to construction companies for free.

 Initial estimates suggest that the redesign and construction of the bridge will cost over 200 million euros and will take 12 months.

 Piano was allegedly in Genoa on the day the bridge collapsed, when steel rods supporting the structure disintegrated, causing a section of the 51-year-old Morandi bridge to fall.

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