Construction site of the week – Emergency demolition of the Carolabridge
On September 11, Dresden only just escaped a catastrophe. In the early hours of the morning, part C of the Carolabridge collapsed. There was not much time to remain frozen in shock, as high tide had been forecast for the following weekend. Therefore, the tram tracks were cut with the help of an explosion carried out by the demolition squad of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) late in the evening the next day. The DA member company CENTRO Umwelttechnik und Logistik GmbH from Dresden, together with another company, was awarded the contract for the strategic demolition work at short notice. Close coordination with the THW was essential to ensure a smooth and safe process from the outset.
Imminent flood risk increases the time pressure
In the early morning hours of September 13, the remaining sections of bridge part C partially collapsed. It was crucial to dismantle the remaining sections in a controlled manner and to remove them quickly. The area was to be cleared of debris as soon as possible. The demolition work continued overnight at full speed. The CENTRO Umwelttechnik team deployed experienced machine operators and site managers as well as 14 demolition excavators from Kobelco, CAT and Komatsu for the work on the Königsufer.
In three days of round-the-clock work, great progress was made on the bridge. Despite the tense situation, the work on the Neustadt side was even completed ahead of schedule on the evening of September 14.
Continuation of the work after the flood
After the floods, work resumed on October 7. A so-called “drop bed” had been set up on the Old Town side beforehand. It was used to catch the bridge section from train C hanging down there. The steel-reinforced concrete was weakened using an excavator with demolition tongs. The rest of the bridge section was removed piece by piece. According to the road construction office, the concrete from the collapsed bridge section can be reused.
After that, the legs still hanging at an angle on the Neustadt side will be removed. Finally, these and the debris that has been in the river since the collapse are to be recovered.
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You can read more about the demolition work on the Carola Bridge in the next issue of ABBRUCH AKTUELL.