Smashin' Down the Carolabridge: Accelerated Demolition Ahead in Dresden
Accelerated Construction and Premature Completion of the Carol Bridge - Destruction of Carolabrücke may occur earlier than anticipated
The mess left behind from the Dresden Carolabridge's partial collapse can be cleared out sooner than expected. The White Fleet Saxon GmbH won't sail beneath the Elbe crossing during its fleet parade on Thursday, as city hall reports indicate. Consequently, the planned pauses in the demolition work on bridge section C on Wednesday and Thursday are now unnecessary. To add to the good news, the structural monitoring system, which has been keeping an eye on the structure since the collapse, hasn't detected any concerning vibrations in the remaining two visually undamaged bridge sections.
Since early Wednesday morning, we've seen those 38-50 ton wrecking balls tearing down the hanging middle parts of the collapsed bridge section at ground level, after the installation of temporary steel pipe supports. According to the latest updates, these demolition activities must continue evenly as they rest on a pillar shared by sections A and B.
Clearing Out Section C
Starting next week, the cantilever arm and roof of the hollow box will be pried off from both sides, followed by the walkways and floor plates. The debris will be crushed and repurposed, while the material from the other bridge sections will be securely dismantled, such as handrails or tram overhead line masts. At the same time, construction of auxiliary structures using well rings to support the land-based bridge parts is ongoing.
The unfortunate collapse of the western traffic lane happened sometime around September 10-11, 2024, covering over 100 meters in length. Since the incident, this Cold-War relic has been closed off, teetering precariously due to additional breaks in its prestressed steel construction. The stability of the remaining debris is constantly under scrutiny, and navigation is restricted. Prior to the summer, the city council is set to decide on a replacement for the Carolabridge, with a swift and modern restoration being favored.
Beyond the Carolabridge's current troubles, the incident sheds light on a broader infrastructure challenge in Germany, where numerous bridges, like the Carola Bridge, constructed during the 1970s, are carrying heavier loads than originally intended and require substantial repair or reconstruction. The German government aims to refurbish or replace thousands of bridges, including those on the trans-European transport network, by 2030, with an estimated cost of up to €100 billion[1].
Funding for the Carolabridge replacement is yet to be secured, and the city of Dresden has numerous roads and bridges that require upgrades, mirroring ongoing infrastructure struggles[3]. In a nutshell:
- The Carolabridge collapsed in September 2024.
- The demolition is ongoing with some parts cleared out sooner than planned.
- The replacement timeline remains uncertain, but a quick and modern restoration is preferred.
- Special safety and shipping measures are in place, with temporary exceptions for festive events like the Dixieland Festival, provided no further structural failures occur.
- Germany faces an extensive bridge renovation program due to the Carolabridge's condition and similar issues, with the ongoing expenses reaching up to €100 billion[1].
Scientists are studying the impact of the Carolabridge's demolition on medical-conditions related to dust and noise pollution in Dresden, as concerns about residents' health persist during the cleanup. Meanwhile, the advancement in technology such as the use of 3D scanning and modeling is being utilized to support the Carolabridge's replacement, ensuring a modern restoration that adheres to the latest industry standards in safety and efficiency.
