Demolition of destroyed part of the Carola Bridge almost complete

Heavy equipment eats into prestressed reinforced concrete

After installing auxiliary supports made of steel pipe underneath the externally undamaged trains A and B, which were not affected by the collapse, the excavators, each weighing 38 to 50 tons, break off the two hanging middle sections of bridge train C from a bed created in the Elbe - evenly, because they lie on a pier with the superstructures of A and B. The debris is crushed and the material is later reused. Railings or overhead line masts of the streetcars were dismantled and secured.

The western traffic line of the Elbe crossing collapsed unexpectedly on the night of 11 September 2024 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 rubble, 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. At a public event next Monday, the city intends to inform citizens about the current status of the construction work, the ongoing demolition process and the reconstruction.