Faster than planned: Bridge demolition in Dresden completed for now
14.09.2024, 21:44 Listen to article
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At least large parts of the collapsed Carola Bridge in Dresden had to be demolished and cleared under high pressure. Tomorrow the flood will make further work at the site of the accident impossible. Among other things, Bundeswehr armored vehicles will be deployed.
Before the expected flooding, important demolition work on the partially collapsed Carola Bridge over the Elbe in Dresden was completed. This was confirmed by fire department spokesman Michael Klahre. This concerns the part of the bridge on the bank towards Neustadt. This means that the work was completed faster than initially planned. The original goal was Sunday evening. However, part of the bridge is still in the Elbe. The clearing of the Elbe bank has been completed, said Klahre. The machines will be driven out of the bank area this evening.
The emergency services had been working hard to clear the bank because of the impending flood risk. Parts of the bridge were broken up and transported away by truck. Two German army recovery vehicles were also on site to provide support. The German army posted a video on the X platform showing a tank pushing rubble aside.
According to the State Flood Center, the water level on the Elbe in Dresden is expected to reach four meters on Sunday morning. Then work on the bank would no longer have been possible. The area is important during the upcoming flood because the current has to shift through the part lying in the water, as the head of the Dresden Environmental Office, René Herold, explained.
The part of the bridge that collapsed into the Elbe on Wednesday will remain in place for the time being. According to current estimates, it will not have a major impact on the water level. According to the head of the Roads and Civil Engineering Office, Simone Prüfer, it can only be removed once the flood has subsided. A concept for the demolition is being worked on.
