New search for second joint of Carola Bridge planned

Around four months after the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge, one of the two bridge joints has not yet been found. A comprehensive sounding of the river area is therefore planned. According to the city of Dresden, the Elbe Waterways and Shipping Authority will initiate this work at the beginning of next week.

One of the two steel joints weighing several tons from the collapsed bridge was reportedly recovered from the Elbe last Friday. On Tuesday, the second bridge joint was then searched for by sounding. "However, the location could not be determined," it said. The city assumes that it lies at a depth of two to three meters. The search is made more difficult by washouts in the area of the demolition work and poor visibility in the water.

Holes in the bed of the Elbe to be filled

According to the statement, the Road and Civil Engineering Office assumes that the missing joint can be located and recovered from the Neustadt side during the demolition work when the Elbe flows more calmly again in the area of the Carola Bridge. These works are still being prepared.

The new measurement results will also be used to organize the backfilling of the scour - the deep holes in the area of the Elbe's bed. It will then also be clear what work is still required for a temporary navigation channel. The Elbe has been impassable for ships since the accident at the site.

A section of the bridge, which was put into operation in 1971 and included streetcar tracks and a cycle path, collapsed unexpectedly on the night of September 11. The Elbe crossing has to be completely demolished. The city is planning a replacement structure.