The footbridge will connect old and new Barrandov

Prague - A new footbridge will span the busy K Barrandovu street in Prague 5. The barrier-free bridge of unusual shape will lead from the tram stop of the same name to Slavínského street and will connect old and new Barrandov. It will offer the shortest connection between the stop and the residential area towards the Barrandov Studios. It will provide pedestrians with a safe way to the tram and shorten cyclists' journey to Chuchelský háj.
People will first walk across the bridge on May 31. The construction will cost over 35 million crowns, which will be paid by the fifth municipal district as the investor, said Mayor Milan Jančík to reporters today.
"A very valuable urban work will be created here, which deserves attention. The costs are not small, but I believe that the safety, accident prevention, and comfort improvements that the bridge will provide for residents are worth the money," he declared.
The steel bridge in the shape of a horizontal letter S is designed to suit pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users. It was designed by architect Patrik Kotas, who also designed the tram line to Barrandov. The unique steel structure will be suspended from two pillars placed outside the roadway. "A similar bridge has not been built yet," said the project's chief engineer Petr Ryboň.
The construction of the bridge is prepared in such a way as to minimize disruptions to traffic on the heavily used K Barrandovu street. However, when it comes to placing it on the pillars, it will be necessary to completely stop traffic for one day. This will probably be on Saturday, May 13, with the final decision to be made by the city hall, said the mayor.
The bridge was originally part of the project for the new tram line but was later removed from it. Residents complained that it was very difficult to safely cross the busy roadway. Several accidents had occurred at the nearby intersection of K Barrandovu and Lamačova streets. Therefore, the Prague 5 city hall decided to construct the bridge itself.