The closure of the Eiffel Tower due to strikes has resulted in criticism of the maintenance of the iconic structure. The Paris City Hall is accused of not following the recommendations of Gustave Eiffel to ensure the integrity of the tower. The delays in renovation are due to multiple causes, some of which are external factors.
Critics have accused the Paris City Hall of neglecting the instructions of Gustave Eiffel, who recommended that the tower be repainted every 7 years for its maintenance. They argue that the current administration has not followed this advice, potentially leading to corrosion of the tower.
It is reported that the last painting campaign for the Eiffel Tower was completed in the early 2010s, the 19th since its construction, requiring approximately 60 tons of paint each time. The official website of the tower states that this frequency was prescribed by Gustave Eiffel.
The 20th painting campaign began in 2019 and was expected to last for three years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant interruptions to the project, as well as the discovery of high levels of lead and criticisms of the scraping technique used to remove paint and rust. These setbacks have led to considerable delays in the renovation process.
As a result, the Eiffel Tower will not be fully repainted in time for the Olympic Games, with the renovation expected to be completed in 2025-2026. This unusual timeline has raised concerns about visible rust on parts of the tower that have not been repainted for nearly 14 years, instead of the usual 7-year interval.
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