Dresden's Carolabrücke Faces Renewed Instability, Halting Ship Traffic

New structural damages detected in the partially collapsed bridge prompt safety concerns, delaying demolition and disrupting Elbe navigation.

Structural monitoring has revealed new Spannstahl fractures in the Carolabrücke, increasing the risk of collapse and halting both demolition work and ship traffic under the bridge.
The Elbe River section beneath the bridge is closed for navigation until at least February 24, with further assessments pending to determine safety conditions.
Experts attribute the damages to material fatigue, moisture-induced corrosion, and recent temperature fluctuations, with warnings that the remaining sections could collapse imminently.
The prolonged closure disrupts planned freight and passenger ship operations, particularly affecting logistics companies and local industries reliant on the river for transport.
Criticism has emerged over the slow progress of the bridge's demolition and lack of concrete plans for its replacement, drawing comparisons to faster infrastructure rebuilds in other countries.