Engineering art makes Venice sustainably mobile

Between sky and water, nestled in the unique landscape of the Venetian Lagoon, the La Via del Respiro was created in the municipality of Cavallino-Treporti. The elevated bike and footpath along Via Pordelio is considered one of the most spectacular in Europe. A masterpiece of engineering that skillfully blends into nature and sets new standards for environmentally friendly mobility. The FIS V Plus fisher injection system secures the supporting structure and guarantees stability, durability, and safety even under the special conditions of the lagoon.

Along the picturesque Venetian Lagoon, since 2021, the La Via del Respiro (in English: The Path of Breath) stretches over approximately 8.5 km. The bike and footpath integrates seamlessly into the existing transport infrastructure, skillfully combining nature and technology. The route connects the towns of Cavallino and Punta Sabbioni. A section of more than 6.5 km runs on a cantilevered steel structure above the lagoon and seemingly floats over the water.

Property Brief La Via del Respiro

Length

Total length 8.5 km. 6.5 km runs on a cantilevered steel structure over the lagoon and seemingly floats above the water.

Construction Assembly

Prefabrication of 3 m long steel cantilever beams outside the construction site

Secure anchoring of the supporting structure:

The cantilever beams are anchored to the reinforced concrete foundation piles running beneath the street and pass through the wall via specially fabricated openings with a diameter of 60 cm, without interacting with it.

A Path Between Sky and Water

The elevated section runs directly along the lagoon and offers breathtaking views of dunes, salt marshes, as well as the diverse animal and plant life of the extraordinary ecosystem. The construction combines technical precision with landscape sensitivity, creating a unique experience for cyclists and pedestrians.

Technical Mastery Under Sensitive Conditions

The special challenge was to develop a stable, low-maintenance, and landscape-friendly structure without affecting the existing lagoon wall or the street structure of Via Pordelio.
For this purpose, 3 m long steel cantilever beams were prefabricated off-site. These structural parts, together with the secondary components – the purlins of the walking surface and the protective railings – can be dismantled to facilitate maintenance or replacement of the cantilevered elements. The cantilever beams are anchored to reinforced concrete foundation piles running beneath the road and pass through the wall via specially made 60 cm diameter openings, without interacting with it. This securely anchored the supporting structure while simultaneously achieving the characteristic floating effect of the path.

Secure Anchoring of the “Floating” Construction

For the permanent fastening of the supporting structure in concrete, the fischer universal mortar FIS V Plus was used. The styrene-free vinyl ester hybrid mortar ensures the highest safety and reliability, even under demanding environmental conditions such as the saline air of the lagoon – with an approved use in water-filled drill holes and a guaranteed service life of 100 years (ETA). Due to its load-bearing capacity and durability, the FIS V Plus made a decisive contribution to the implementation of the demanding construction of the bike and footpath.

A Symbol of Sustainable Engineering

La Via del Respiro today stands not only for innovative mobility but also for the successful dialogue between public vision and technical innovation. The project demonstrates how engineering, architecture, and environmental awareness can be harmoniously combined – a floating symbol for sustainable transportation and modern construction in harmony with nature.