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 cycling and pedestrian path running along Via Pordelio is considered one of the most spectacular in Europe – a masterpiece of engineering that blends harmoniously into nature and sets new standards for environmentally friendly mobility. The fischer injection system FIS V Plus secures the supporting structure, ensuring stability, durability, and safety even under the special conditions of the lagoon.

Stretching for around 8.5 km since 2021 along the picturesque Venetian lagoon La Via del Respiro (“The Way of Breath”) integrates seamlessly into the existing transport infrastructure, skilfully 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, giving the impression of floating over the water.

A path between sky and water
The elevated section runs directly above the lagoon, offering breathtaking views of dunes, salt marshes, and the diverse flora and fauna of this extraordinary ecosystem. The construction combines technical precision with environmental sensitivity, creating a unique experience for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
Technical excellence under sensitive conditions
The key challenge was to develop a load-bearing, low-maintenance, and environmentally compatible structure without affecting the existing lagoon wall or the road structure of Via Pordelio.

To achieve this, 3-meter-long steel cantilever beams were prefabricated off-site. These structural elements, together with secondary components – the deck purlins and guardrails – can be dismantled 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 created 60 cm diameter openings, without interacting with the wall itself. This allowed for a securely anchored supporting structure while maintaining the characteristic floating appearance of the path.

Secure anchoring of the “floating” structure
For the permanent fastening of the load-bearing structure in concrete, the high-performance universal mortar fischer FIS V Plus was used. The styrene-free vinyl ester hybrid mortar ensures maximum safety and reliability, even under demanding environmental conditions such as the salt-laden air of the lagoon – with approved use in water-filled drill holes and a guaranteed service life of 100 years (ETA). Thanks to its load-bearing capacity and durability, FIS V Plus played a decisive role in realizing the complex structure of the cycling and pedestrian path.

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 merge into a harmonious whole – a floating symbol of sustainable mobility and modern construction in harmony with nature.