Nymburk opened the footbridge over the Elbe, the Sunday event will be canceled

Nymburk - Nymburk today opened a new footbridge over the Elbe for pedestrians and cyclists. Shortly after 4:00 PM, it was symbolically illuminated and will remain lit as standard. The original ceremonial event planned for Sunday was canceled by the city due to the declaration of a state of emergency, spokesperson for the city hall Olga Vendlová informed CTK today. The footbridge was originally scheduled to be put into operation at the end of September. It was built by Hochtief for 129 million crowns. The city received a grant from the State Transport Infrastructure Fund, which will cover all eligible costs. Nymburk will pay about 11 million crowns.

Today's opening of the new footbridge did not go unnoticed by dozens of people who strolled across it for the first time around 4:00 PM. People were taking photos, so-called selfies, or photographing the footbridge. "The opening of the modern footbridge is a great joy and relief for us and the citizens of the city. I am glad that the company managed to complete the entire construction without serious complications," said Mayor Tomáš Mach (Nymburk at ease).

The footbridge was successfully inspected today, and its opening faced no further obstacles. "Nymburk was preparing for a big celebration, the opening of the new footbridge, but we must respect the government regulations which complicate our situation at the last minute. At the same time, we do not want to risk the health of our fellow citizens. Let us not completely lose the Christmas atmosphere; let's enjoy it in a more intimate way. Přemyslovců Square will be illuminated together with the tree and decorations, and there will be a nativity scene and Ježík's office. I promise you that we will enjoy the ceremonial moment of opening the construction of the decade when the epidemic situation allows it again," said Mayor Tomáš Mach (Nymburk at ease).

The work on the new footbridge was slightly delayed, due to the coronavirus pandemic and delays in the delivery of the steel structure. The builders installed the central part of the bridge deck using a unique technology, which, according to bridge construction specialist Petr Vítek, was likely used for the first time in the Czech Republic. The central section of the footbridge, about 70 meters long, was assembled on the bank. "The segment was moved over the water using retractable tracks, lifted, a boat was floated under it, and then it was lowered onto the boat," Vítek said earlier. The boat then traveled about 300 meters to the pillars, where it turned 90 degrees across the riverbed with the central section of the footbridge.

The ferry, which has replaced the footbridge since 2018, will operate until the end of this year. The original footbridge was demolished by the city in 2018 due to a state of emergency. It had the same design and came from the same designer as the footbridge in Prague-Troja, which collapsed into the Vltava River in 2017. The new footbridge, measuring 228 meters in length, is located in the axis of the former footbridge, connecting the Zálabí district with the city center. The design for the new footbridge was prepared by SHP - Stráský, Hustý and partners. The managing director of the company and the author of the design is architect Jiří Stráský, who also designed the footbridge in Prague-Troja and the previous one in Nymburk.

The original footbridge was closed to pedestrians by Nymburk in December 2017, and boats were prohibited from passing under the footbridge since June 2018. At the same time, the city closed the area on both banks under the footbridge. River traffic was resumed two months later on August 8, after the demolition of the footbridge.