Saxony's minister wants new inspection regulations for bridges

Saxony's new Minister for Infrastructure has spoken out in favor of revising the testing regulations for bridges. The testing standards "must be amended because there are prestressed steel bridges like this not only in Saxony, but in the whole of eastern Germany and perhaps even in other federal states," Regina Kraushaar (CDU) told the broadcaster MDR-Aktuell. To date, there has been no requirement to open the concrete of a bridge during an inspection.

19 bridges are particularly in focus

Following the partial collapse of Dresden's Carola Bridge in September, the Free State of Saxony is scrutinizing bridges of the same design along federal and state roads. The focus is on 19 structures in particular. These special inspections should be completed in the first quarter of 2025.

All 19 bridges are 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 believed to be the cause of the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge.