Residents of Jaroměř celebrated the completion of the new steel bridge

Jaroměř (Náchod area) - The new steel bridge in Jaroměř, which became a symbol of the floods two years ago, was publicly celebrated by the town's residents yesterday. The seemingly fragile bridge structure designed by architect Mirko Baum has been operational since mid-February. Jiří Klepsa, the mayor, told ČTK.
    The original bridge, around 130 years old, was damaged by the flood to such an extent that it had to be demolished. The commission selected from more than fifty proposals on what the new bridge could look like. The design that resembled vertebrae was the most popular. Baum collaborated with David Baroš and Vladimír Janata on it.
    The lightweight steel construction, which appears almost fragile, has both opponents and supporters, according to the mayor. The traditionalists might have preferred a replica of the old bridge at the original site.
    "I personally like the bridge. According to architect Baum, it is the first bridge of this type in the Czech Republic. It is a representative landmark of the whole city," Klepsa said.
    Baum has also designed a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the Orlice River in Hradec Králové in the Hradec Králové Region. His most famous work is the modern steel roof over the chapel of the Carmelite monastery in Frankfurt am Main.
    The organization of the celebrations included traditional toasts, speeches, the blessing of the bridge, a drumming show, a water fountain, and a closing fireworks display. The construction of the bridge cost approximately 27 million crowns, with 19 million obtained as a grant from the Ministry of Transport, and an additional 2.9 million crowns promised to the city from the solidarity fund. The bridge primarily connects the Na Ostrově school with the main square.