Danube-Black Sea Canal, Romania: Mosaic

Scenery is a little scarce along the Danube-Black Sea Canal in Romania, which was built in the 1970s and 1980s.  Most of it is unoccupied land, but this statue pops up along the way - in sight of boats passing by. 

There were two different attempts to build a canal here, which was designed to improve shipping in the region. The first attempt, back from 1949 to 1953, featured labor camps and horrible conditions in which thousands of people worked and many died. Could this mosaic be a tribute to them? Or was it just the work itself?

A second, successful attempt was completed from 1976 to 1987, with two different branches. The government spent two billion Euros on the canal, and thought it would pay for itself eventually. However, the actual revenue hasn't come close to cutting down the debt for this - since it takes in three million euros per year at last count. 

Here's a chance to see what it all looks like: