Genoa will have a new bridge within a year, its mayor said, after the bridge collapsed in August killing more than 40 people.

Genoa's mayor promised a new bridge by next Christmas. [Photo: AFP]

Genoa will have a new bridge within a year, its mayor said Saturday, as the Italian city prepared to start demolition work on the remains of the bridge that collapsed in August killing more than 40 people.

"The objective is to take the demolition far enough so that construction work can begin," Marco Bucci said. "The objective is to start construction work on March 31 which will allow us to have a bridge for Christmas."