The police are checking the Elbe bridge in Bad Schandau to see whether vehicles exceed the weight limit of 7.5 tons. The intensive checks this week are intended to prevent overly heavy vehicles from driving over the damaged bridge, said the head of Pirna police station, Philipp Albrecht.
In the past, there had been indications that heavily laden vehicles were also repeatedly using the Elbe crossing in Bad Schandau. This is not permitted due to the damage to the prestressed concrete structure. Trucks and buses weighing over 7.5 tons have to take a detour.
"The problem is, of course, that if vehicles weighing over 7.5 tons drive over the bridge, there is a risk that the bridge will be further damaged, which could ultimately lead to the bridge being closed to all vehicles," said police officer Albrecht.
