Three months after the closure of the Elbe bridge in Bad Schandau, ships will be able to pass it again without registration from Thursday. The restrictions will be lifted at around 8 a.m., as announced by the State Office for Road Construction and Transport.
Since the beginning of January, commercial shipping has been able to pass the bridge during certain time slots after prior registration. Now, all commercial and leisure vessels have free passage again, as the Elbe Waterways and Shipping Office explained. Pedestrians, cars and cyclists are still not allowed on the bridge.
The bridge was unexpectedly closed on November 7 for safety reasons. This was preceded by a special inspection following the partial collapse of Dresden's Carola Bridge. This inspection had revealed an acute need for action for the bridge in Bad Schandau, which is part of the 172 federal highway. Like the Carola Bridge, the structure is made of prestressed concrete.
It should be clear by June whether the Elbe bridge can still be used, at least to a limited extent. Plans are already underway for a temporary bridge and a new replacement structure.
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