A few days before the load test on the closed Bad Schandau Elbe bridge, planners have decided what the planned temporary bridge over the Elbe should look like. This marks an important milestone, according to the Saxon Ministry of Infrastructure. The preferred option was presented to the residents of the small town in the district of Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains in the evening.
Construction independent of the load test
"There is finally clarity about the preferred option for the temporary bridge, which is located a few meters upstream of the currently closed bridge and then crosses the railroad line," said Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU).
The temporary bridge will cost a total of 31 million euros and will be built regardless of the results of the load test - as a replacement during the planned renewal of the Elbe bridge. According to Kraushaar, the temporary bridge meets all requirements: It is flood-resistant, suitable for traffic and allows ships to pass through.
No extensive building permit procedure should be required for the construction of the temporary bridge. Construction could therefore begin this year so that the bridge can be opened to traffic next year.
The mayor of Bad Schandau, Thomas Kunack, said that the plans gave him a "positive outlook for the future". He added that the variant would only interfere slightly with the existing buildings and would allow a direct crossing of the Elbe. The bridge is to be built to the west of the 172 federal highway.
Six variants - many criteria decisive
Six variants were examined beforehand, including alternative bridge locations and use of the railroad bridge. Decisive criteria included costs, construction time, traffic routing and environmental aspects.
The existing Elbe bridge was closed in November after cracks were found during a special inspection following the partial collapse of Dresden's Carola Bridge. From April 1 to 3, its load-bearing capacity will now be checked in a load test. This will determine whether it can be temporarily reopened.
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