new Carola Bridge Dresden

Following the collapse and demolition of the Carolabrücke in Dresden, which was built in 1971, we worked with the planning team comprising Knight Architects, querfeldeins, VIC and VCDB to develop a design for the new Carolabrücke.

We placed particular emphasis not only on restoring the transport link across the Elbe, but also on creating a vibrant public space around the bridge.

Various lanes are planned on the bridge, enabling car traffic, rail traffic, as well as cyclists and pedestrians to use the bridge safely and independently. The cycle and footpaths are designed to provide direct access to the banks of the Elbe and the city. Together with the Augustus Bridge and the pedestrian promenade on the Carolabrücke, this creates a circular promenade offering the best views of Dresden’s historic old town.

When standing on the banks of the Elbe around the bridge, the truss-like intersections of the arch openings offer new and interesting perspectives from every angle. Particularly when backlit at night, this detail creates a special atmosphere for the public space in the immediate vicinity. At the same time, it serves as an elegant reminder of the first Queen Carola Bridge from 1893.

Nevertheless, when viewed from a distance, the bridge blends into the historic Old Town skyline, which remains the focal point. This, too, was a very important aspect that we specifically sought to highlight when planning the design. Our design is not intended to create a new Dresden landmark, but rather a functional, robust structure that blends into the distant view of the Old Town. Looking at the visualisation at night, one might even think that the bridge, in a sense, emphasises the silhouette of the old town, thereby complementing the ensemble comprising the Bühlscher Terrasse, the Frauenkirche, the Hofkirche and the Hausmannsturm in the best possible way.

Technically, the bridge design meets all the requirements of modern bridge construction.

The bridge consists of two separate superstructures. This allows the tram superstructure, with its promenade path and integrated district heating pipes, to be constructed ahead of schedule in just 17 months. Furthermore, the two-lane design offers the advantage that the bridge cross-section can be flexibly repurposed at a later date.

The main materials are modelled on the historic Königin-Carola-Brücke, with a primary steel structure and a deck slab in a steel-concrete composite construction. The piers and abutments are clad with sandstone for aesthetic purposes. To ensure increased load-bearing capacity and durability, reinforced concrete structural elements are used primarily in non-visible areas.

Instead of an arch bridge, we opted for a so-called curved girder. The advantage of this is that slimmer piers are possible, as no arch shear forces or temperature-induced stresses need to be transferred into the ground. Nevertheless, the visual resemblance to an arch bridge is retained, which is definitely desirable for the structure to blend in with Dresden’s existing bridges and in keeping with the historic Queen Carola Bridge.

As the design team, we are delighted to present a well-thought-out design that perfectly combines aesthetic, urban planning, technical and economic requirements.

More information about our design is available at www.carola.info