Dilapidated Prestressed Concrete Bridges — Demolition Begins Near Grimma

Agra Bridge south of Leipzig

It had long been known that the Federal Highway B2 bridge through Agra Park in Markkleeberg was in a state of disrepair. However, a special inspection following the collapse in Dresden revealed that the structure, built in the 1970s, must be replaced urgently. One side of the bridge has been closed to traffic since spring, while the other is being temporarily stabilized by additional supports. Plans for a replacement bridge are underway. According to reports, it is expected to cost around 50 million euros. The funding is coming from the federal government.

Bridges in Bad Schandau

In Bad Schandau, the prestressed steel problem affects two bridges: the Elbe crossing and the bridge over the railroad tracks. The Elbe Bridge was temporarily closed to all traffic but has since been reopened to heavy-duty traffic with restrictions and is being monitored. The bridge over the railroad tracks must be replaced. Construction of a temporary bridge began in June. The State Office estimates the cost of this alone at seven million euros.

Additional bridges are being inspected

Following the collapse in Dresden, the Free State identified 15 additional bridges with a similar construction design within its jurisdiction. These include, among others, the bridge over the Spree near Uhyst, the S190 bridge over the Freiberger Mulde, and the S68 bridge over the Weiße Elster in Pegau. According to the State Office, material tests and calculations are still underway for the majority of these 15 bridges in order to definitively assess their condition.

Bridges over the A14

There are also bridges under the jurisdiction of the federal government’s Autobahn GmbH that are now being inspected more closely. This applies to eleven so-called overpasses on the A14 between Leipzig and Nossen. They were constructed using precast prestressed concrete between 1969 and 1972. “The structures currently exhibit various types of damage,” a spokeswoman for Autobahn GmbH stated. With the exception of one case, the situation is currently considered non-critical.

In contrast, the “21Ü2” bridge between Grottewitz and Würschwitz near Grimma required immediate action last fall. Cracks had formed or widened. The structure was completely closed off—and is now scheduled to be demolished from Friday evening through Sunday morning. The demolition will cost around 700,000 euros. A new overpass is scheduled to be built in 2028—according to Autobahn GmbH, at a construction cost of approximately three million euros. 

Machern Railroad Bridge

Hennigsdorf prestressed steel was also used in the Machern railroad bridge in the Leipzig district. An inspection in 2025 revealed a deterioration in the bridge’s condition, as reported by the Borna District Office. In addition, the prompt construction of a replacement bridge was recommended. Construction could begin as early as the summer of 2028 and is estimated to cost seven million euros. The district council decided that funds from the Saxony Fund—that is, from the federal and state government’s special infrastructure fund—should be used for this purpose.

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