Dresden's Carola Bridge experiences partial collapse.
During the wee hours, a portion of the Carolabridge in Dresden took a plunge into the Elbe River. Consequences of this incident extended beyond the bridge, affecting the walking and cycling path, as well as the tram tracks. As per a city spokesperson, the affected stretch spans approximately 100 meters. This unfortunate event led to a severe leakage of steaming hot water from the Old Town side of the bridgehead.
The Dresden Transport Authority assured that no trams were traversing the bridge at the time of the incident, ensuring no harm to passengers or vehicles. Trams 3 and 7 generally cruise the bridge hourly, even during nighttime. The southern half of the bridge, reaching from Terrassenufer Street and a chunk of the Elbe, has been impacted. Alternative routes have been established.
Unfortunately, this collapse has also compromised two major district heating supply lines, affecting the entire city. A city representative shared that the escaping hot water successfully inundated segments of Terrassen Ufer.
The area has been sealed off, with officials urging the public to steer clear of the Carolabridge area and avoid obstructing the emergency services. The bridge serves as a crucial voyager's pathway, connecting the Old Town and New Town in Dresden.
Other maintenance works on the bridge had to be postponed due to the incident, including the scheduled paint job on the southern side. Including residents and businesses in the vicinity, many people in Dresden are now without a reliable source of heat due to the damaged district heating lines.
