Kolín will have documentation this year for the repair of the Masaryk Bridge

Kolín - Kolín will have project documentation for the repair of the Masaryk Bridge over the Elbe completed by the end of this year. According to the city leadership, the bridge is in good condition, and the adjustments only concern its appearance. The city hall estimates the costs at 40 million crowns, with work starting only after the reconstruction of the neighboring New Bridge, which the Central Bohemian Region wants to repair, said mayor Michael Kašpar (Change for Kolín).

The city wants to wait for the completion of the New Bridge, as a detour for passenger vehicles will lead over the Masaryk Bridge. The city hall also needs to secure funding for the reconstruction. According to Kašpar, it is possible that the repair will be divided into several phases.

During the reconstruction of the Masaryk Bridge, historical lamps or paved sidewalks could return to it. The roadway was originally paved as well, but according to Kašpar, it will remain asphalt to meet today's requirements.

The repair of the New Bridge, which is financed by the Central Bohemian Region, was supposed to begin already but has been delayed. "The construction is constantly facing property law complications, as some participants do not agree with the construction and file appeals against the issued building permit within the legal time frame," said Helena Frintová from the regional office to ČTK.

The building permit was obtained by the region on December 4 of last year. "The building permit is not yet final, as two participants in the building procedure - Czech Ports and T-PORT - filed appeals," said Frintová. According to her, the appeals were identical. The regional office therefore returned the building permit for completion to the Kolín office. The supplemented building permit is expected to be issued next week. "Within 15 days of issuing this building permit, it will be possible to file an appeal again," Frintová stated.

The reconstruction of the New Bridge is expected to last 14 months, including a winter technological break. "However, the timeline for obtaining the building permit will be crucial, as it, along with the permit for partial closure, will be an important milestone for the start of construction. In the case of further delays in the start, the construction timeline will have to be moved to 2021 so that construction does not interfere with two winter seasons," Frintová said.