The new footbridge over the Vltava River in České Budějovice will start construction in 2026

České Budějovice – A new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Vltava River in České Budějovice, which will connect the left bank near the exhibition grounds and Jiráskův nábřeží, will be designed by a consortium of MDS projekt and Prokš Přikryl architects. They won the architectural competition among 20 other proposals. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 and be completed by 2028. The estimated cost is 105 million CZK excluding VAT, representatives of the city informed journalists today.

“The aim of the competition was to select the most suitable design that meets the requirements for architectural and structural solutions in a very busy location near the left bank road. The bridge should provide a new connection for pedestrians and cyclists between the right and left banks of the Vltava,” said the deputy mayor for transport, Lubomír Bureš.

A side entrance to the exhibition grounds of České Budějovice will then be created from the Pražské sídliště. "In connection with the opening of the highway, which will divert a large portion of transit traffic, we are considering converting the left bank road into an urban street. In the exhibition grounds area, a number of buildings are planned according to the urban study, which will significantly transform the entire embankment and give it an urban character," said the first deputy mayor Petr Maroš, who is responsible for investments.

The jury evaluated the proposals not only from the perspective of architecture and construction but also from transportation, landscaping, and economic aspects. The bridge will lead above the Sun Island, which is currently under construction. It should be on the level of Nerudova Street and lead towards Pavilion Z in the exhibition area.

According to the winning design, the bridge will have one pillar in the river. It will be intended for both pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed color is in the shade of corten steel, that is, orange-brown reminiscent of rust. In the later phases of the project, the traffic solution will be further developed, which needs to be coordinated with other projects for the modifications of intersections on both banks.

The second place was taken by Link project studio, and the third place by Apropos Architects. The city will now sign a contract with the winners for the project work. Work is expected to begin in the spring of 2026, with the bridge to be completed by 2028. All competition proposals will be published by the city in an electronic competition catalog on the city’s website.