The demolition of the collapsed Karola Bridge in Dresden has been suspended due to new cracks in the structure, which make it impossible to continue the work.
According to Spiegel, the city administration reported that the monitoring system detected cracks in the steel on the middle support of the bridge. These damages were found in sections A and B, which were not affected by the collapse of the bridge in the fall of 2024. The situation is currently being assessed for further action.
Experts believe that the cause of the collapse of one section of the bridge was corrosion cracking caused by moisture, as well as material fatigue from prolonged stress. This led to the failure of many structural elements and the loss of strength in the bridge’s tension systems.
The passage under the bridge, which was opened for internal navigation three weeks ago, has been closed again starting today. Helko Frehner, deputy head of the Elbe Waterways and Shipping Authority in Dresden, stated that now it is necessary to wait for the conclusions of the engineering company, which will assess whether the partially collapsed bridge can withstand the load and whether navigation can be resumed.
Following the collapse of the Karola Bridge on the night of September 11, internal navigation in this section was suspended for five months. In February, the passage was opened for commercial vessels with restrictions, and starting this Tuesday, one-way traffic is expected to be allowed.
Additionally, two unexploded World War II bombs have already been found in the area of the collapsed bridge.
