Agra Bridge in the south Leipzig had to be dismantled and rebuilt due to significant defects. Investigations carried out in recent days showed serious damage to the bridge’s prestressed steel, as announced by Saxony’s infrastructure ministry. “The originally assumed lifespan of ten years is no longer sustainable,” said Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU), according to the announcement.
According to the ministry, steel samples have been taken from the top of the bridge. “In two of the five exposed tendons, individual cords had broken, and a large number of other fractures could also be found,” said the assigned expert, Thomas Bösche. The samples will now be examined more closely in the laboratory, and results will be available by the end of November. Initially, traffic restrictions will be in place to reduce pressure on the structure.
Hennigsdorfer steel like Carolabrücke
Discussions regarding the condition of the Agra Bridge have been going on for years. It was built in 1976 and contains so-called Hennigsdorf prestressed steel – a material also used in the collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden. The Agra Bridge is now one of the 19 bridges in Saxonywho are under special supervision.
According to the ministry, steel samples were taken from the underside of the bridge almost a year ago. This indicates that the material has previously been damaged. The bridge has been under closer inspection since November 7. Now it’s clear: repairs are no longer possible.
Kraushaar: The tunnel is irresponsible
According to Kraushaar, the tunnel solution as a bridge replacement cannot be justified. Such projects are technically complex and can take up to 20 years. “The only solution that can be implemented quickly, is legally feasible, is funded and makes sense for the region is to immediately build a replacement bridge,” Kraushaar said. The State Office for Road Development and Transport was tasked with immediately starting planning for this.
The bridge should be relieved
To lighten the load on the structure and ensure traffic safety, starting Thursday (20 November) only vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons will be allowed to pass through the bridge, according to the ministry. Heavier vehicles are expected to be diverted via the Leipziger Ring on Autobahn 38 and 14. Additionally, permitted speeds will have to be reduced.
The 357-meter-long Agra Bridge on Federal Highway 2 is a barrier to traffic entering Leipzig from the south. According to the ministry, around 30,000 vehicles pass through the bridge every day. For a long time, the speed could only be driven at 60 km/h.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251117-930-302564/2
