Karlovy Vary have a new train station

Karlovy Vary - Karlovy Vary now have a dignified train station after decades of waiting. The Czech Railway Administration (SŽDC) has completed the new station building and has also started the reconstruction of the tracks. However, the station building will remain in temporary operation for some time due to the second construction in the track area.

The total costs for the modernization of the Karlovy Vary station, which is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2019, will exceed 716 million crowns, said Tomáš Drmola, deputy director general of SŽDC, during the opening of the station today.

"As for the new station building, we stand before the most modern station building in the Czech Republic. The temporary facilities that were here lasted about 70 years," Drmola stated.

The construction began with the demolition of the original building, which had already been significantly devastated and was literally stinking. As an entrance gate to the largest spa town in the Czech Republic, it was completely inadequate. The new building will temporarily enter trial operation, as work will continue on the tracks and underpass. Thus, passengers will initially only be able to use the lower part of the station building.

"I like the station. It is somewhat futuristic, but I think it fits the present day. And primarily, the building that was here could be called a horror. The contrast is amazing," said Minister of Transport Dan Ťok (for ANO) today.

The construction of the station building was several months delayed. Along with the reconstruction of the tracks, the construction of a footbridge over the tracks and modifications to the forecourt will follow. Both of these investments will be funded by the city of Karlovy Vary.

The original cast-iron roofing of the first platform was disassembled before construction and will return to the restored station after the work is completed.