Bad Schandau: Search for alternatives for Elbe bridge continues

Three weeks after the closure of the Elbe bridge in Bad Schandau in Saxon Switzerland, the search for alternative transport routes continues. The use of the nearby railroad bridge is currently being examined, either jointly for rail and road traffic or only for road traffic, as Stephan Berger, Head of the Mobility Department at the Ministry of Transport, said.

In its current state, however, cars would not be able to use this bridge, which would require adjustments. One option would be to install load-bearing slabs, for example, which would enable the use of rail and road.

It would also be possible to build a temporary replacement bridge if the railroad bridge is not suitable. According to Berger, however, the time horizon for this would be open.

Pontoon bridge not an alternative

The option of a pontoon bridge, which the Bundeswehr had examined on site, is now off the table. Although this is possible in principle, the framework conditions are difficult in this case, said Berger.

He cited the speed at which the Elbe flows, the complete closure to inland shipping and Saxon steam navigation that would be necessary in this case and the difference in height to the road, which would require a ten-metre embankment. "We have therefore come to the conclusion that this is not a viable alternative."

A car ferry is also not possible as an alternative to the bridge. Lars Roßmann, Head of the Civil Engineering and Innovation Department at the State Office for Road Construction and Transport, said that contact had been made with Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH and the Czech Republic, but that no car ferry was available.

Concrete on bridge to be opened

In the meantime, in-depth examinations of the prestressing steel used to ensure the stability of the structure are beginning on the closed Elbe bridge. As with the Carola Bridge, which partially collapsed in Dresden, there is a risk of corrosion here, which could result in spontaneous failure without prior notice. For the investigations, the concrete on the structure will be opened up so that samples can be taken.

The results are expected by the end of December. Only when they are available can a decision be made about the future of the bridge. It will remain closed at least until then. In the meantime, the Elbe cycle path passing under the bridge and the state road 163 have been reopened.

Closed for safety reasons

The bridge was unexpectedly closed on November 7 due to longitudinal cracks in the so-called lower span. 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 on the 172 federal highway in Bad Schandau. Like the Carola Bridge, the structure is made of prestressed concrete.