The Italian commission approved the flood barriers in Venice

Venice (Italy) - A special Italian commission green-lighted the project on Wednesday to build movable flood barriers in Venice. The construction costs, which are set to protect the city from high water, are estimated at 4.3 billion euros (approximately 120 billion crowns). However, the project will not be completed for several years.
    The barriers were approved by a commission composed of state and local officials despite opposition from the mayor of Venice, Massimo Cacciari. He claims that the plan has its shortcomings, both technical and ecological. According to Cacciari, the allocated funds will also not be enough.
    Some environmentalists are also protesting against the project, developed by the former government of Silvio Berlusconi. They argue that after the construction is completed, Venice would become a "stagnant pond" in the event of flooding.
    Supporters of the plan, on the other hand, declare that the barriers are vital for the sinking city.
    The project is informally called Moses, after the biblical figure before whom the sea parted. In the event of rising waters, the gates will rise above the surface and create a barrier around Venice against incoming tides.
    Water threatens this historic city on several fronts. Venice gets flooded with every rise in the Adriatic Sea level, and floods are becoming increasingly frequent. The debate on how to save the city from the onslaught of seawater has been ongoing for decades.