After the installation of auxiliary supports made of steel pipe, the demolition of the collapsed section of Dresden's Carola Bridge, which has been interrupted since February, continues. According to the city administration, the danger to the stability of the remaining structure due to vibrations has been averted.
The demolition of bridge span C will take place next week. The influence of the work on the noise emission monitoring on the structure is currently being investigated in order to reliably distinguish these signals from those of any tension wire breaks.
The work was stopped on February 18 due to tension wire breaks. According to the town hall, the remaining debris from the destroyed C train must be demolished evenly in order to protect the other bridge strands from vibrations. The challenge is that they are resting on a pillar, like the superstructures of A and B.
Excavators weighing several tons in action
Four excavators, each weighing 38 to 50 tons, will then remove the cantilever and the ceiling of the box girder from both sides next week, followed by the footbridges and floor slabs. The debris will be crushed and reused later. On the other bridge sections, railings or overhead line masts for the streetcars are being dismantled and secured. At the same time, auxiliary structures made of well rings are being erected to support the bridge sections leading over land.
On the night of 11 September 2024, the western traffic section of the Elbe crossing collapsed unexpectedly over a length of around 100 meters. Since then, the structure from the GDR era has been closed - and is in acute danger of collapse due to further fractures in the prestressed steel construction.
The stability of its remains and debris, which is currently being demolished, is constantly monitored and shipping is restricted. The city council is to decide on a replacement for the Carola Bridge before the summer. The administration favors a quick and modern restoration of the Elbe crossing.
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