AUGUST 27, 2002

The changing face of Monaco

Monaco will be a very different looking place when the Formula 1 circus arrives next year. On Monday a vast 350m long floating platform, which consists of 160,000 tons of concrete, arrived in Monaco after a fortnight at sea. The platform was built in southern Spain, at a cost to Monaco of $66m. This will be used to double the mooring capacity in the port, around which the Grand Prix is held, to 700 boats. It will also mean that Monaco can now welcome the bigger cruiseships.

The platform will be attached to the sea bed with huge steel braces and it is planned that the platform will soon start to sprout buildings, including a multi-story car park, shops and restaurants.