Our Saxony branch is carrying out a challenging bridge construction project on Fabricestraße for the City of Dresden. Following the successful demolition of the existing structure spanning the Deutsche Bahn AG railway lines, a new bridge is currently being built under challenging conditions in the immediate vicinity of the railway.
Demolition in sync with rail operations
A key milestone was reached in April: the demolition of the existing superstructure, consisting of prestressed concrete beams with a cast-in-situ concrete deck, was carried out precisely during the scheduled night-time closures. The work had to be precisely coordinated with ongoing rail operations – a high degree of planning and coordination was crucial.
Extensive preparatory work
The groundwork for a smooth construction process was laid well in advance. This included the erection of a temporary bridge and the construction of temporary wings comprising a back-anchored sheet pile wall with bored pile foundations. These measures made it possible to carry out the demolition safely and efficiently.
Technically challenging demolition
The existing superstructure was cut into individual beams weighing up to 60 tonnes each using concrete cutting technology. The load-bearing structure of the prestressed concrete components remained intact, and electrified rail operations were not disrupted at any time.
Logistics in confined spaces
The concrete beams were excavated during night-time closure periods at a rate of up to three lifts per night. Due to the limited space between adjacent junctions, the excavated elements were dismantled and removed directly on site during the day. This allowed the necessary storage areas to be cleared for the following night shift.
Start of the new bridge construction
Following the complete dismantling of the superstructure, the support beams and the abutments, the next phase of the project is now set to begin: the construction of the new bridge, which will commence in May.
A project that impressively demonstrates the importance of precise planning, well-coordinated processes and technical expertise – particularly for construction projects in the sensitive railway environment whilst operations continue.
