Set up on May 22, 1887 by Admiral Ferdinando Acton and completely refurbished in 1958, the San Francesco di Paola bridge, better known as the "swing bridge" of Taranto, is now undergoing major renovations, investigations and experimental monitoring by the Navy Military, activities aimed at maintaining its operational capacity and the consequent support to urban traffic. This intervention is part of a wider project of extraordinary maintenance of the bridge which, together with the enhancement of the Aragonese Castle as a cultural library center, is included in the program of the Institutional Development Contract of Taranto with the intention of giving a strong impetus to the relaunch of the city.
The swing bridge represents a nerve center of maritime traffic for the units destined to carry out works in the Arsenale of Taranto, as well as an obligatory point of passage to reach the main road junctions of the city. The bridge has fulfilled its function for over a century and more than 60 years if we refer to the one relating to its second version, despite the continuous heavier urban traffic and the extremely severe environmental conditions in which it operates.
The Department of Engineering for the Navy of Taranto, after having conceived, installed and tested an experimental system of continuous monitoring, has launched various design and investigation activities aimed at improving and modernizing the complex electromechanical and automation systems (revamping) which allow its singular opening.
The Southern Maritime Commander, Division Admiral Salvatore Vitiello, expressed himself in this way regarding these works: "The swing bridge together with the Aragonese Castle represents the visiting card for the city of Taranto, testimony of many historical and memorable events for this seaside city, just to name the most recent, the crossing of the navigable canal of Cavour and Vespucci and the stage of the Giro d'Italia the other day, for this reason it must be safeguarded and cared for very carefully, these works are going in the right direction.
