Structural Concerns Halt River Traffic at Dresden’s Carola Bridge
Overnight Monitoring Reveals No New Fractures
Following the partial collapse of Dresden’s Carola Bridge in September 2022, the Landeshauptstadt has announced that no further fractures were detected overnight. However, due to anticipated significant temperature fluctuations, river traffic remains suspended. Ship passage will likely remain prohibited on Wednesday and Thursday.
According to a city spokesperson, if temperatures remain stable and no new damage is discovered, it may be possible to reopen the bridge for river traffic.
Bridge History and Restrictions
The Carola Bridge suffered a section collapse on the night of September 11th, resulting in a five-month closure of that section of the Elbe River. Commercial shipping was later resumed in early February, but required advance registration. Starting Tuesday, river traffic was expected to operate freely with no restrictions, using a one-way traffic system.
Monitoring Reveals Fractures
On Tuesday morning, fractures in the tension reinforcement steel were detected in segment A of the remaining Carola Bridge. The city confirmed that an expert monitoring team identified additional fractures early Tuesday afternoon.
Limited Impact on Structural Integrity
The city has emphasized that the newly discovered fractures are unlikely to compromise the stability of the standing bridge segments, as there is no direct contact with their concrete structures.
Ongoing Work
On the Neustadt side of the river, an excavator is carrying out final work on the construction road, which is expected to be completed later today. Simultaneously, a barge-mounted excavator is filling in holes and removing debris from the riverbed.
Additional Safety Measures
Due to the recent damage, demolition work on the collapsed bridge segment has been temporarily suspended. The city has confirmed that the bridge’s vibration and temperature sensors remain operational and calibrated to detect any changes in its condition.
Public Safety
The city has urged pedestrians and cyclists to avoid the immediate area around the damaged bridge. Both lanes of the bridge remain closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Investigative Efforts
The ongoing investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse is being conducted by a team of experts, including structural engineers, construction specialists, and geologists. Their findings are expected to provide insights into the failure mechanism and inform future preventive measures.
Timeline
- September 11, 2022: Carola Bridge collapse
- February 2023: Commercial shipping resumes with advance registration
- March 14, 2023: Unrestricted river traffic expected
- March 14, 2023: Fractures detected in standing bridge segment
- March 14, 2023: Demolition work suspended, river traffic halted
- Ongoing: Investigation and monitoring continue
Key Points
- No new fractures were detected overnight on the partially collapsed Carola Bridge.
- River traffic remains suspended due to expected temperature fluctuations and concerns about potential damage.
- Fractures in the tension reinforcement steel have been detected in one of the standing bridge segments.
- The fractures are unlikely to affect the structural integrity of the remaining bridge segments.
- Demolition work on the collapsed segment has been temporarily suspended.
- The city is emphasizing public safety and restricting access to the area around the damaged bridge.
- An ongoing investigation is underway to determine the cause of the bridge collapse.
