Dresden tram bridge collapses

At 03.08 on 11 September about 100m of the Carolabrücke collapsed into the River Elbe, including the span carrying tram tracks and the pedestrian walkway. 

 

Fortunately, there were no injuries as the last line 3 tram of the day had passed across 18 minutes earlier and there was no-one on the bridge. 

 

Road traffic on other spans was closed immediately and area central heating and drinking water pipes were broken. 

 

Demolition work on the damaged spans started on 12 September and trams were diverted via the Albertbrücke. Elbe river traffic was suspended. 

 

It is suggested that the collapse was triggered by corrosion caused by salt application during the winter months. The pre-stressed concrete bridge was rebuilt between 1967 and 1971, but the traffic lanes were re-opened only in March 2024 after further renovation.