After the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge: Saxony's bridges put to the test

After the partial collapse of Dresden's Carola Bridge, Saxony's bridges are under scrutiny. The focus is primarily on so-called prestressed concrete bridges from the 1960s to 1980s. This type of construction is at risk of damage due to corrosion in the prestressing steel, which can suddenly lead to failure under certain conditions. This is considered to be the cause of the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge.

The first effects have already been felt: in Bad Schandau, new measurement results led to the Elbe bridge being closed. Additional safety measures were also necessary in Dresden.

Special inspections on 19 bridges

Transport Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) announced special inspections for a total of 19 bridges on federal and state roads, during which the interior of the structures will also be examined for the first time. However, the bridges are not considered to be at risk of collapse, as Dulig emphasized. Depending on the results of the inspection, traffic may be restricted or even partially or completely closed. New replacements may also be necessary.

Nine of the bridges are reportedly being given higher priority. These are the Agra Bridge in the south of Leipzig, three bridges in Bad Schandau as well as bridges on the B 169 over the Gärtitzer Bach, on the B 156 near Uhyst, on the B 46 over the Pleiße near Markkleeberg, on the B 127 and on the B 101 near Großenhain.

The inspections of all 19 bridges are being carried out one by one. They should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025. It will then be known where the need is greatest. Dulig announced a special fund to finance the measures. He agreed on this with Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU).

Investigation results in Bad Schandau by the end of the year

An initial result of the special investigations is the closure of the Elbe bridge in Bad Schandau since 7 November. The reason for this is longitudinal cracks in the so-called lower span, which jeopardize the load-bearing capacity. The bridge has been completely closed since then.

Further investigations and static recalculations will be carried out in the coming weeks. According to the State Office for Road Construction and Transport, the concrete on the lower span of the bridge will be opened in order to identify possible damage to the underlying steel. The strength of the material is also being assessed.

The results are expected by the end of the year. A decision on the further use of the bridge will then be made on the basis of these results.

At the same time, the search for solutions to the tense traffic situation on site is ongoing. "We are in talks with the German Armed Forces and the THW about the use of possible pontoon bridges," said Dulig.

Safety measures on two bridges in Dresden

The state capital of Dresden has also initiated special inspections. Two bridges in the city center will be partially closed because additional safety measures are necessary. According to the city, three new cracks have been discovered on the Nossen Bridge, for which a new construction is already planned due to its poor condition. As a result, two of the four lanes are expected to be closed in December and, due to the temperature, the repair of the cracks cannot begin until April.

In addition, Budapester Strasse Bridge will be closed in one direction per day during the day next weekend for the installation of an acoustic monitoring system.

A decision is expected in mid-December on the two bridge sections of the Carola Bridge that are still standing and over which car traffic previously ran. The results of the temporary stability tests should be available by then; they are currently still ongoing. The Carola Bridge consisted of three traffic lines. On the night of 11 September, the western section C with the streetcar line collapsed over a length of around 100 meters.

Reconstruction of Dresden's central traffic artery is also already being discussed. It is expected to cost more than 100 million euros. To finance this, the Left Party is proposing city bonds based on the Munich model, as announced by the party's city council faction. With this form of investment, municipalities offer regular interest and a fixed repayment date. In 2020, the Bavarian state capital offered municipal bonds for the first time for a total of 120 million euros, with the money being invested in affordable housing and educational infrastructure.

Municipalities responsible for the majority of bridges in Saxony

According to the Ministry of Transport, 90 percent of the around 2,500 bridges on federal and state roads for which the Free State of Saxony is responsible are in very good to sufficient condition.

No overview is available for the approximately 8,000 bridges under the responsibility of districts, cities and municipalities. In addition, there are around 1,100 bridges on freeways under the responsibility of the federal government and around 1,900 railroad bridges under the responsibility of Deutsche Bahn.