Rubble of the Carola Bridge: Dresden attracts tourists despite mourning

Rubble of the Carola Bridge: Dresden attracts tourists despite mourning

Numerous tourists have gathered on the Terrassenufer in Dresden, where the remains of the Carola Bridge are located. The once proud building, which collapsed into the Elbe on September 11, 2024, just 18 minutes after a tram passed through, attracts attention. The approximately 100-meter-long section of the bridge that now blocks the shipping channel causes mixed emotions among visitors. Some find the rubble impressive, others feel sad at the sight, as Sächsische reports.

Andreas and Sandra Hauptmann from Sonneberg came to Dresden especially because of the Carola Bridge. In a conversation, Ina Vogt from Cologne said that the bridge rubble awakens memories for her that remind her of images after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. From the guests' perspective, little has changed since the collapse; Gisela and Detlef Stewen from Herne report that the Elbe is still impassable. But not everyone is losing hope: Andreas Albrecht from Dresden sees progress with the demolition and is hoping for an Elbe cycle path to be opened soon.

The situation after the collapse

The bridge collapse, which occurred almost a year ago, had serious consequences: According to the fire department, some parts of the bridge remain at risk of collapse and even a second segment is sagging. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is still ongoing, but so far there are no signs of external influence, according to Tagesschau. The area around the collapsed bridge, including the Elbe federal waterway, remains closed to traffic, which also creates complications for steam shipping. The historic steamer Kaiser Wilhelm, for example, cannot continue to Prague.

But not everyone is discouraged. Klaus Wolf from Braunschweig explored the area on his electric bike and expressed his wish that shipping could resume soon. Civil engineer Bernhard Kalusa states that a replacement for the Carola Bridge should not be expected before 2030. He emphasizes the need to move forward with planning and tenders quickly in order to avoid further conflicts such as those with the construction of the Waldschlößchenbrücke from the outset.

Traffic disruptions and future plans

The closure of the area also has an impact on the district heating supply in the city. After the bridge collapsed, there was a defect in two district heating pipes, which affected numerous city clinics and districts. Sachsenenergie is working hard to restore the district heating supply, and some parts of the city have already been reconnected.

An information system was set up for road users in the city that shows the current status of the Elbe bridges. This system provides important information for route selection, but without detour recommendations. The illuminated boards, which are set up on various Elbe bridges, are intended to help effectively control the flow of traffic. It remains to be hoped that the situation at the Carola Bridge will soon take a positive turn and pave the way for a new bridge, while the remaining rubble will remain as a silent witness to this unexpected turn in the city's history.