Carola Bridge, Prestressed concrete bridge crossing the Elbe River in Dresden, Germany
The Carola Bridge consists of three parallel decks constructed from prestressed concrete, spanning the Elbe River with box girder sections that originally carried vehicular traffic, trams, pedestrians, and cyclists across the waterway.
The original bridge was completed in 1895 with iron arches designed by Karl Manck, destroyed by Waffen SS forces on May 7, 1945, and replaced with the current prestressed concrete structure between 1967 and 1971.
Designated as a heritage monument in Saxony in 2022, the bridge represents Cold War-era engineering achievements and serves as a symbol of Dresden's resilience through periods of war, reconstruction, and urban development over multiple generations.
The bridge is currently out of service following a partial collapse on September 11, 2024, when approximately 330 feet (100 meters) of deck C fell into the river, disrupting district heating pipelines and prompting emergency demolition work.
The structure was the largest prestressed concrete bridge in the German Democratic Republic at the time of construction, featuring Gerber girders with spans reaching 120 meters (394 feet) and employing innovative carbon concrete reinforcement in later renovation efforts.
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