In Letná, 800 underground parking spaces are to be created

Prague - An underground parking space for 800 cars will be created above the Blanka tunnel in Prague's Letná district. The parking lot will fill the empty space between the tunnel and the surface. According to builders, this option will cost roughly the same as if the area were to be filled in again. František Polák, a spokesperson for the company Metrostav, which is constructing the Blanka tunnel complex, told ČTK.
    "We would have to create extremely strong concrete structures to withstand the fill," explained Polák. The final use of the underground parking will be decided by the investor, which is the city council.
    Currently, there is an extensive construction site in Letná for an intersection that will be the exit for one of the underground city ring road exits. Overall, there are expected to be five exits, for example, in the area of the Powder Bridge, in Troja, and from the Strahov tunnel.
    After the tunnel is completed, Milady Horákové street will be restored. According to Polák, there will again be a two-lane road in each direction. "The road will be asphalt instead of granite paving," clarified Polák. This should reduce noise pollution in the surrounding area. Tram services will also be restored, and a new bike path will be created.
    The overall appearance of Letná should not differ significantly from its current state. There will again be grassy and sandy sports areas, and new greenery will be planted. "There will be two ramps, which will be visible above ground by about a third. Around them, there will be substantial greenery," added Polák. There will also be exits from the underground garages.
    From the beginning of November, builders plan to expand the construction, so car traffic will be completely diverted to a temporary detour route. This route follows the edge of the massive pit from the southern direction and was built specifically for this purpose.
    "Next year, we will gradually start filling it in and begin to return tram transport here first, followed by car traffic," clarified Polák. Metrostav is also working on other sites. "We are digging in Troja, starting to reach the ground at the Powder Bridge and in Myslbekova street," said Polák.
    The Blanka tunnel complex is part of the northwestern section of the city ring road. It should be completed in 2011, costing around 25 billion crowns. According to Metrostav, the total length of the northwestern section will be nearly 6.5 kilometers, complementing the already operating section of the ring road with the Zlíchov, Mrázovka, and Strahov tunnels. Thus, in 2011, the longest tunnel in the Czech Republic will be created.
    According to some civic associations, the city ring road is not the right solution to the transport situation in Prague. "It improves conditions for car traffic in the city center, so the number of cars will increase here," believes Michal Křivohlávek from the Auto*mat initiative. According to him, while the number of cars may temporarily decrease after the Blanka tunnel is opened, it will return to its original amount after a few years. According to Křivohlávek, the solution lies in partial measures that limit the number of cars in the center, such as the introduction of tolls, and support for public transport and cycling. "We do not criticize the outer ring; it is definitely needed," clarified Křivohlávek.