Delays Continue for Carolabrücke Demolition Due to New Challenges

Dresden - The demolition of the partially collapsed Carolabrücke is facing further delays, with the latest obstacle being the discovery of a three to four meter deep hole in the riverbed. This issue follows previous interruptions caused by the need to address World War II-era bombs and the location of a heavy concrete section that could not be found.

According to officials, the hole, similar to a pothole in the waterway, was identified last week. Simone Prüfer, head of the Road and Underground Construction Office, indicated that this location was intended for the installation of support structures that would stabilize the remaining sections of the bridge during the demolition process.

Due to the presence of the hole, the planned construction of these support pontoons is currently on hold. The area will need to be filled in before the assembly of four heavy-duty support towers can proceed, which is now expected to occur next week. The necessary components for this task are already prepared at the Altstädter Ufer.

Despite this setback, officials have stated that the overall timeline for the project remains intact. Prüfer affirmed that the time during which work is stalled will be utilized to secure all necessary permits. The aim is still to begin the extraction of the central sections of the bridge by the end of May, a target that is deemed achievable.

The Carolabrücke, a crucial North-South connection over the Elbe River, suffered a significant collapse on the night of September 11, 2024, when about 100 meters of the western traffic lane fell unexpectedly. Since then, the remaining bridge segments, dating back to the GDR era, have been closed off to traffic.

Efforts to demolish the remaining parts of the bridge have been ongoing, but further structural issues, including the discovery of additional broken tension cables, have raised concerns regarding the safety of the still-standing segments. Experts are advocating for a prompt and complete demolition of the structure.