Business is pushing for the rapid construction of the Carola Bridge in Dresden!

Business is pushing for the rapid construction of the Carola Bridge in Dresden!

A broad alliance of business representatives in Saxony has written an open letter to the city administration and the city council of Dresden. The Dresden Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Dresden Chamber of Crafts are calling for a quick decision on the new construction of the Carola Bridge, which was significantly damaged by a partial collapse on September 11, 2024. This bridge was an important traffic artery and its closure has led to massive mobility restrictions in the city.

In addition to the chambers, the signatories of the letter also include DEHOGA Sachsen e. V., the Dresdner Taxigenossenschaft eG and the Handelsverband Sachsen e. V. They emphasize the urgency of a fundamental decision before the summer break so that the job advertisement process for the replacement new building can be initiated immediately. Jörg Dittrich, President of the Dresden Chamber of Crafts, emphasizes that the city administration now has a duty to act quickly.

Traffic effects of the closure

The closure of the Carola Bridge not only has a direct impact on traffic flows, but also on the surrounding bridges and roads. According to current analyses, traffic on the Albert Bridge has increased by 88 percent, while the Marien Bridge has seen an increase of 30 percent. The Waldschlößchenbrücke, on the other hand, has experienced an 8 percent increase in traffic. These increases place significant strain on infrastructure and result in longer travel times.

The average travel time on north-south routes has increased by four minutes, while punctuality on local public transport (ÖPNV) has decreased. The tram lines on the Marienbrücke towards the old town and the Albertbrücke towards Neustadt are particularly affected, where the speed has dropped significantly. Delays can also be observed on the Dr.-Külz-Ring, where several lines intertwine.

The situation was documented by a video-based traffic count, which assessed the significant shifts in traffic volume. Relief could come from 2026 through a new switch at Pirnaischer Platz. It also shows that cycling traffic has moved to the Augustus Bridge, where over 9,000 cyclists are counted every day - an increase of 45 percent.

Economic importance of a quick new building

The IHK Dresden and the Chamber of Crafts emphasize the importance of a functioning infrastructure for the city's economic performance. Dr. Andreas Sperl, President of the IHK, warns of the negative consequences of a further loss of time, which could lead to both rising construction prices and a loss of confidence in the city's ability to act. A quick replacement building without a complex planning approval process could therefore be crucial in order not to endanger operational processes and supply chains.

The demand for a four-lane bridge is seen as essential, while a possible solution with only two lanes is rejected. This would not adequately take commercial traffic into account and could not solve the challenges facing the city.

The economic players in Dresden are pushing for immediate measures to get the Carola Bridge back into operation as a transport and infrastructure project as quickly as possible. hwk-dresden.de reports that the city's infrastructure services urgently need to take decisive action to ensure sustainable employment in Dresden.

In order to solve the mobility problem in the city in the long term, the activities of the city council are of central importance. Current traffic analysis results, among others from mdr.de were published show the negative effects of the current situation on the daily lives of Dresden residents and underline the urgency of the situation.