Commencement of Carolabridge construction set for 2027 - Commencement of Carola Bridge Construction Set for 2027
Update on Dresden's Carolabridge Reconstruction
In a public information event held at Dresden Town Hall, officials have revealed plans to commence the reconstruction of the Carolabridge in 2027. The project is estimated to take approximately two and a half years, subject to a variety of factors.
Mayor Stephan Kuhn (Greens) and Simone Prüfer, the head of the Street and Sewerage Department, have proposed a replacement new construction to expedite the process. This approach would bypass the time-consuming planning approval procedure, potentially shaving off three to six years from the projected timeline.
However, an exact completion date remains unknown due to the intricacies of obtaining approval. Prüfer highlighted that the approval process is a significant challenge. The City Council will vote on the replacement new construction without a planning procedure in their upcoming meeting in June.
Mayor Kuhn dismissed comparisons to the bridge replacement in Genoa, citing different framework conditions. The Italian emergency declaration following the bridge collapse in 2018 permitted far-reaching maneuvers to bypass laws, allowing the project to progress swiftly. Kuhn stressed that such resources are not available in Dresden, but assured the public that the fastest possible route is being taken.
The western traffic lane of the Carolabridge collapsed unexpectedly over 100 meters in September 2024. Since then, the bridge has remained closed, with the remaining parts considered acutely at risk of further collapse. The demolition of the collapsed span C is nearing completion, while the removal of spans A and B is in fine-tuning, according to recent statements from the city.
While specific timelines for the construction phase have yet to be detailed, the project is expected to entail complex technical challenges and high economic and ecological costs, as is the case with most bridge construction or replacement projects. The city council is anticipated to finalize the plans by summer 2025, following which the decision-making process for the project will continue.
The proposed replacement new construction for the Carolabridge, if approved by the City Council in June, aims to bypass the time-consuming planning approval procedure, potentially reducing the project's timeline by three to six years. The completed reconstruction, expected in 2027, may have implications for public-transit and transportation within the community, while maintaining a commitment to the environment, as stated in the city's policy. The project's financial aspects, including costs and potential funding sources from the industry and finance sectors, are yet to be detailed.
