Workers laid parts of the Štvanická footbridge towards Karlín

Prague - Workers on the construction of the Prague Štvanická footbridge have laid all its sections in the direction from Štvanice to Karlín. In the coming days, they will begin to install the section towards Štvanice to Holešovice. This was stated today by Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr (Prague Matters). The footbridge on Štvanice will be adorned with the sculpture River by sculptor Jan Hendrych, which is currently in his studio. Construction of the footbridge began this January and is expected to be completed within 14 months, that is, in February next year. The bridge is intended to make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to reach the island of Štvanice and connect the city districts.

"All segments of the bridge from the island to Karlín have been laid. All night, the concreting of the junction (the turn from the bridge to the island) on Štvanice continued. Following that, the installation of segments towards Holešovice will begin, which will take a few days," Scheinherr said.

The footbridge will include artworks, including the aforementioned Hendrych sculpture. The statue measures 185 centimeters and will stand on a 150-centimeter high round pedestal at the foot of the ramp on Štvanice. "It will be called River, since (the river) is there, and it will be on a pedestal because that suits sculptures," Hendrych told ČTK. The pedestal will be round so that the "sun can run around it all day," he added.

Hendrych created the sculpture in the 1970s, and architect Petr Tej chose it as part of the footbridge in his studio. According to him, the female statue is meant to contrast with the minimalism of the bridge itself. Another plaster version will likely be made this November, which Hendrych will refine with some details. After that, a mold will be made from it, and finally, a concrete statue will be cast that will be placed on Štvanice. It will be on site no later than with the opening of the footbridge, which is expected in March next year.

The bridge will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access the island of Štvanice and will serve as another connection between the city districts. On the Holešovice bank of the Vltava, access to the bridge will be at Bubenské embankment in front of the entrance to the Prague Market. In Karlín, it will lead to the cycle path along the flood protection barrier on Rohanském embankment. The bridge will span 38 meters between Karlín and Štvanice and 149 meters between Štvanice and Holešovice.

Currently, people can only reach Holešovice from Karlín by crossing the busy Hlávkův bridge or taking a detour through Rohanský island and Libeň bridge. They can also use a ferry. To reach Štvanice, they can only go from Hlávkův bridge or by ferry. The footbridge will also connect cyclists by linking the main cycling paths along both banks of the Vltava.