A decision on a replacement for the Carola Bridge in Dresden is to be made before the summer. The administration is proposing a new replacement structure to the city council, which would enable "a timely, modern and sustainable restoration of the Elbe crossing". This would eliminate the deficits of the existing bridge and take sufficient account of future traffic and urban development.
"We need the Carola Bridge," said Lord Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP) according to the press release. The aim is to agree on a process to restore the connection across the river "as quickly as possible".
As a result of a legal opinion commissioned by the city, the city came to the conclusion: "Even with a new replacement, we have sufficient scope to build a sustainable bridge for our city."
The expert opinion sets out which adjustments to the bridge are possible without an extensive planning approval procedure, while other framework conditions apply regardless of the procedure - such as dispensing with further piers in the Elbe area.
European tender and public participation
According to the city hall, planning and construction take time, and these services must be put out to tender throughout Europe. The aim is to find the best ideas for the design of the new Carola Bridge and to involve the public.
On the night of 11 September 2024, the western traffic line 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 permanently monitored and shipping is restricted.
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