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Ananti-floodsystem that was supposed to startworking inVenicein 2011and could have protected the iconic city from more than a billion dollars in water damage last year is now getting a trial run. The 78bright yellow barriersofprojectMosesfinally rose from theseaFriday, acting as a kind of a on-demand dike. The project, which was inaugurated in 2003 and was supposed to be finished by 2011, has been mired in corruption. In 2014, The Associated Press reported, investigators revealed a system of bribes and kickbacks nearly $6. 5 billion overall hasbeen poured into the planning and construction of the anti-flood system. VENICE FLOODING BECOMESSECOND-HIGHESTIN HISTORYThe projects name, Moses, recalls the biblical figure who,as told inthe Old Testament, parted the waters of the Red Sea. But it also is the Italian acronym for Experimental Electromechanical Modules. The movable flood gates are attached by hinges to cement blocks on the seabed along three openings from the sea into the lagoon. After high-tide danger ceases, sea water is pumped into the gates to make them heavy so they can be lowered. Despite Fridays trial run, the project is estimated to be fully operational only in 2021, althoughPremier Giuseppe Conte expressed hope it could be ready by this autumn. VENICE FLOODING HAD CITY ON ITS KNEES, CONTE SAYSLast November, Venicesuffered its worst flooding in more than 50 years. Floodwaters invaded St. Marks Basilicaand alsopoured into homes, hotels, stores and restaurants in the city, which lives off tourism. City officials estimated the total flood damage at to be more than a billion dollars. The barriers are designed to protect Venice from tides as high as 10 feet. In the November flood, the tide surged to 6. 5 feet. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPYet environmentalists have opposed theproject,afraid it will disturb the lagoons delicate ecology. On Friday,

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