Waiting for new construction: The worrying situation of bridges in Central Saxony

Waiting for new construction: The worrying situation of bridges in Central Saxony

The bridge situation in Central Saxony raises serious questions. A recent incident that led to the demolition of the remains of the Carola Bridge in Dresden has only increased public concern about the state of bridges in the district. After the partial collapse of the bridge on September 11, 2024, in which a 100-meter-long section fell into the Elbe, the doubts are more than understandable. Luckily there were no injuries, but the incident leaves many unanswered questions about the ability of the local infrastructure to be maintained. As the Freie Presse reports, the financial extent of renovation work is unclear and the population is watching developments with concern.

Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister of Saxony, promised at a CDU New Year's reception that the reconstruction of the Carola Bridge should be completed within two years. This is particularly important because the bridge plays a central role in Dresden's transport network and the incident caused massive disruption to traffic. Experts have also determined that the main reason for the bridge collapse was stress corrosion, raising questions about the overall safety of similar structures. According to a report, it is necessary to demolish the entire bridge, including previously renovated areas. Dieself explains the urgency of it all. In any case, Kretschmer has committed himself to completing the reconstruction quickly and transparently.

Infrastructure in focus

The problem is not limited to Dresden. In the rest of Germany, numerous motorway bridges are also in a dilapidated condition. As the Tagesschau reports, almost one in five of the 100 bridges most in need of renovation are in North Rhine-Westphalia. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has announced that he will renovate 400 bridges every year, with the modernization of 4,000 bridges being given the highest priority. About 55% of bridges were built before 1985 and are now reaching the end of their lifespan.

In view of the increasing freight and heavy goods transport performance, which increased by 74% between 1991 and 2022, the pressure to act is increasing. There are around 40,000 bridges in Germany, many of which are considered in need of renovation. The Bundesgütegemeinschaft warns urgently about the need for political measures to ensure road safety.

The newly planned construction projects, such as the replacement construction of the Rahmede motorway bridge, show that a rethinking of infrastructure policy is necessary in Germany. The bridge was closed and blown up due to severe damage, believed to be a direct result of years of neglect. The challenge remains to use the funds efficiently and to access them promptly so that such disasters become a thing of the past.