Venice, Italy - A raging debate over an ultra-modern bridge spanning Venice's Grand Canal was further fuelled Thursday with allegations that the structure's handrail has the potential to become "scorching" hot.

Venice's Order of Engineers met Thursday to discuss infrastructure projects in the lagoon city, including the controversial steel-and- glass bridge designed by Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava.

"I noticed that the upper handrail becomes burning hot. I'm afraid next summer it will be a problem," the Order's president, Vito Saccarola, was quoted as saying by news agency Adnkronos.

"More than a bridge, it is a catwalk of a particular form and size," said Saccarola, describing the structure as "beautiful, but not indispensable."

The bridge, Venice's first new one in 70 years and only the fourth to be built over the Grand Canal, was to have been opened on September 18 by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. However, the ceremony was scrapped amid fears that protestors would try to disrupt it.

Dubbed the "carpet of light" by its admirers, the 94-metre single arching span links Venice's railway station with Piazzale Roma, the car, bus and ferry terminal on the other side of the Grand Canal.

Critics say it clashes with the spectacular architecture on the Grand Canal - the water-way serving as Venice's "main street." Others complained about the lack of access for the disabled.

But most of the acrimony has centred over claims that the cost of the bridge rose from an original estimate of 5 million euros (6.8 million dollars) to 20 million, partly because of delays and legal disputes with the construction company. (dpa)