Engineering makes Venice sustainably mobile

Between sky and water, nestled in the unique landscape of the Venetian Lagoon, La Via del Respiro was created in the municipality of Cavallino-Treporti. The elevated cycle 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 fischer injection system FIS V Plus secures the supporting structure and guarantees stability, durability, and safety even under the special conditions of the lagoon.

Along the picturesque Venetian Lagoon, La Via del Respiro (translated: The Path of Breath) has extended over approximately 8.5 km since 2021. The cycle and footpath integrates seamlessly into the existing traffic infrastructure and skillfully combines 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 over the lagoon, seemingly floating above the water.

Project Profile 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.

Structure Construction

Prefabrication of 3 m long steel cantilever beams off-site

Secure anchoring of the supporting structure:

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

Secure Anchoring of the "Floating" Structure

For the permanent fastening of the supporting structure in concrete, the fischer universal mortar FIS V Plus was used. The styrene-free vinylester hybrid mortar ensures the highest safety and reliability, even under demanding environmental conditions such as the saline air of the lagoon – with 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 played a decisive role in enabling the implementation of the complex design of the cycle 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 combined into a harmonious whole – a floating symbol of sustainable movement and modern construction in harmony with nature.