[3] The present stone bridge is a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte.

The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin.

[4] The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri.

[5] This structure had two ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships.

Plans were offered by famous architects, such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a Classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation.