Mnichovo Hradiště has opened a new footbridge over the D10 highway

Mnichovo Hradiště - In Mnichovo Hradiště in the Mladá Boleslav region, a new footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the D10 highway was symbolically opened today, reconnecting the town with the local parts of Dobrá Voda and Lhotice. The ceremonial opening of the bridge was attended by architect Josef Pleskot, from whose Atelier AP the bridge design originates. The event also included the unveiling of a new poetry vending machine, known as a poesiomat, at the foot of the Horka hill.

The arched bridge, with a steel structure over 50 meters long, connects to the historical linden-lined Husova alley. The original route of the hiking trail was interrupted by the D10 highway in the 1980s, beyond which lies the tourist-attractive Český ráj. The bridge thus offers a safer and more comfortable way to cross the highway; until now, tourists had to use the road bridge leading to Přestavlk.

Construction of the bridge began last spring by the construction company Brex. Most of the costs amounting to 36 million crowns were covered by the city from a grant from the State Transport Infrastructure Fund. The bridge was put into provisional use at the end of the year and was officially approved in May this year. This year, only minor finishing works, such as painting, were carried out, but primarily two load tests with positive results, Weiss noted.

The city also modified the road from II/268 road Husova alley to the bridge and further on to Dobrá Voda beyond the bridge. The road from the HBPO company premises on Nákladní street along the Veselka stream, under the city bypass, and around the dog training area to the alley has also been repaired. "This route is precisely what the city recommends for tourists and cyclists to avoid crossing the busy II/268 road," Weiss noted.

The poesiomat, located about 200 meters from the bridge at the foot of Horka at the end of the alley, offers two dozen excerpts from various genres. In addition to verses by local poets, turning the crank provides selections from theatrical performances, songs, as well as Bedřich Smetana’s composition Z domoviny or contemporary news reports. "A gem that we couldn't resist incorporating into the poesiomat's dramaturgy is the Prayer for Water by Hradišťan, even though the Moravian band has nothing to do with (Mnichovo) Hradiště," Weiss said.