Beroun will move the bus station to the train station

Beroun - Beroun will begin a extensive reconstruction of the area in front of the train station, where it will also relocate the bus station. The city has obtained a grant of 52 million crowns for the revitalization of the area and the relocation of the station; the entire project will cost more than 60 million. Work is expected to start next spring and finish in 2014, city hall spokeswoman Pavla Švédová said today.
     The railway and bus stations are currently about a kilometer apart in a straight line. According to city architect Dana Vilhelmová, discussions about relocating the bus station have been underway for more than twenty years, and the urban plan also accounts for it. "This is a global trend where all mass and individual transportation is concentrated in a single location. It will significantly improve travel for residents and visitors to the city for work, services, education, and other activities. The city will also benefit greatly from reduced environmental stress from transportation," said Mayor Šárka Endrlová.
     The area will be modified over 22,300 square meters. A new intersection, sidewalks, parking for short-term parking, and a bike path will be created around the station. There will also be extensive revitalization of greenery and the planting of dozens of trees and bushes. The current Czech Railways station will also undergo changes, with a waiting room being created, which the current bus station lacks. Both stations will thus form a connected transport terminal.
     According to city officials, this is one of the largest investment projects in Beroun in several recent years. A similarly financially demanding project was the construction of a sewer system and extensive repairs to the city after the flood in 2002. The current bus station is to become a space for leisure activities and a free parking lot.