About the Project
The new bridge was conceived as a steel arch structure using corten steel, chosen for its durability and low maintenance requirements. The design includes a single-lane roadway with alternating traffic and a dedicated cycle path, reflecting the growing emphasis on sustainable transportation.
Incide Engineering S.R.L. was responsible for the executive design, which encompassed architectural, structural, civil, and electrical aspects, as well as the design of the road connections. The project adhered to the Italian Highway Code and the specific requirements of the Emilia-Romagna Region and Civil Protection Authority, particularly for works within the riverbed. Beyond the structural design, Incide also managed BIM coordination and later assumed operational oversight of the construction site.
After the collapse in 2015 that rendered the Barberino Bridge, located in the Municipality of Bobbio (PC–Italy), unusable, in April 2025, Incide Engineering was commissioned with the executive redesign of the New Barberino Bridge. The new bridge was entirely conceived in corten steel in order to minimize maintenance operations and ensure long-term durability.
Eng. Gianluca Vallerini
Founder, CEO, Technical director – Incide Engineering S.R.L.
Italië
Engineering Challenges
The engineering team faced significant challenges due to the hydraulic complexity of the Trebbia River and the strict regulatory framework governing interventions in its bed. The initial task involved adapting the definitive design to comply with updated codes and environmental prescriptions, which required careful consideration of both structural and ecological factors.
The situation became even more demanding during the summer of 2025 when severe floods caused additional settlements in the structure, forcing a redesign of one of the abutments. These events highlighted the unpredictability of the site conditions and the need for rapid, precise engineering solutions to maintain safety and project timelines.
The objective is to have the bridge supported solely by the two lateral abutments, avoiding all intermediate piers in the riverbed, mainly because of the significant flood risk. All this led to a major structure, with a span between supports of approximately 75 m and an arch height of about 11 m.
Eng. Simone Noro
Project Team Leader – Incide Engineering S.R.L.
Italië
Solutions and Results
To overcome these challenges, Incide Engineering adopted a multi-faceted approach. The choice of corten steel was fundamental, providing enhanced resistance to corrosion and reducing long-term maintenance in a flood-prone environment. The design was revised to meet all regulatory and hydraulic constraints, ensuring compliance with national and regional standards.
When the floods caused structural settlements, the team quickly re-engineered one abutment, optimizing its foundation and geometry to withstand future hydraulic stresses.
BIM tools played a crucial role in facilitating multidisciplinary coordination, allowing for efficient updates and precise execution on-site. Finally, Incide’s involvement in operational site management ensured that the design intent was faithfully translated into reality, reinforcing quality control throughout the construction process.
The use of IDEA StatiCa software made it possible to accurately analyze highly stressed nodal connections in a manner consistent with work of this importance.
Eng. Simone Noro
Project Team Leader – Incide Engineering S.R.L.
Italië
The result is a robust and elegant bridge that restores a vital connection for Bobbio while embodying principles of durability, safety, and sustainability. The Barberino Bridge stands as an example of adaptive engineering and the effective integration of advanced materials and digital workflows in modern infrastructure projects.
Incide Engineering S.R.L.
Incide Engineering S.R.L. is a global integrated engineering firm headquartered in Padua, Italy. Founded in 1998, over more than twenty-five years of growth, it has evolved into a structured organisation of over 60 professionals, offering a multidisciplinary and multi-sector service portfolio while maintaining a personalised approach and an artisanal level of care for each client.