ŘSD will announce an architectural competition for a bridge over the Drahaň Valley

Prague - The Directorate of Roads and Highways (ŘSD) will announce an architectural competition for the design of the bridge over Drahaňské valley, which is to be part of the Prague ring road from Ruzyně through Suchdol to Březiněves. When exactly the competition will be announced has not yet been decided by the ŘSD. The spokesperson for the ring road, Martin Opatrný, announced this today. Next week, the road workers will hold a public discussion as part of the EIA process, which assesses the impact of the construction on the environment. Two sections of the ring road designated 518 and 519 are expected to connect highways D7 and D8 in the future. An architectural competition is already being prepared for the bridge over the Vltava, which will be part of the same section of the ring road.

The intention to announce the architectural competition was announced by Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (ODS) at a meeting with citizens in Dolní Chabry on Monday evening. "Based on the feedback, we will launch an architectural competition for the bridge over Drahaňské valley to find the best possible solution that aligns as closely as possible with the natural landscape of the area," said Kupka.

According to the minister, the Prague ring road is a construction of nationwide importance and does not only concern the metropolis or the Central Bohemian Region. "It is a key communication route for the entire Czech Republic, for all our citizens. It is a debt that we must urgently repay," he stated.

For the completion of the aforementioned section, road workers have already sent a request to the Ministry of Environment for the issuance of a binding EIA opinion. A public meeting with citizens will take place on Monday, November 6.

As for the subsequent section designated 520 from Březiněves to Běchovice, the ŘSD is preparing to submit a request for the issuance of a binding opinion. In the case of the section between D1 and Běhovice, the ŘSD is purchasing land, has submitted a request for a building permit, and plans to announce a tender for the contractor by the end of this year.

The outer ring road around Prague is expected to measure about 83 kilometers when completed, with approximately half currently in operation. In addition to the northwestern part, the southeastern section between Běchovice and highway D1 is also missing. Construction is expected to start by the end of next year, with the first sections in this area potentially operational by the end of 2027. The Prague ring road is expected to be fully completed by 2033, along with the entire basic highway network, as previously stated by Minister of Transport Kupka.