<span>The estimated cost of metro line D is 72 billion, while it has currently cost 1 billion.</span>

Prague - The leadership of the capital city estimates that the construction of the new metro line D from Písnice to Náměstí Míru will cost 72 billion crowns. The costs for the preparation of the construction have so far amounted to approximately one billion crowns. This was stated by the Deputy Mayor for Transport Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě) at today's city council meeting. He added that this is an estimate based on current construction prices and the final price will emerge from the competition for the contractor. The city aims to start geological surveys for the construction this year.

The increase in price compared to previous estimates was criticized by the chairman of the ANO council club, Patrik Nacher. In response, Deputy Scheinherr stated that the previous administration relied on figures that did not account for the rise in construction costs in recent years. The first section from the Písnice depot to Pankrác, according to him based on current estimates, will cost 57 billion crowns, while the entire planned route to the city center will be 15 billion crowns more. It has not yet been decided where the line will lead from the Náměstí Míru stop; options include a continuation to Žižkov and Vysočany.

The roughly one billion that the city has spent so far has gone, according to the deputy, on land acquisitions, engineering, and project preparation. This year, geological surveys, which are expected to cost another approximately one and a half billion, should begin. This will create parts of the tunnel that will later be used for the construction itself. The city has already selected a contractor, but the deadline for appeals lasts until April 4. For the first section between Pankrác and Olbrachtova, the city would like to obtain a building permit within three years; according to the city leadership, the land issues there are essentially resolved. City representatives announced this week that they have reached an agreement with the landowners necessary for the construction of the D metro station Nádraží Krč.

Deputy Scheinherr also stated today that the city is preparing to address the artistic design of the new stations. The design of the interiors will be worked on in collaboration with the city and the company Metroprojekt, which is designing the line, by the architect David Vávra. It will not be a competition for the overall construction solution of the stations, which will remain according to the design by Metroprojekt. A similar proposal for a unified visual appearance of the station interiors has already been approved by the previous leadership of the city hall. Some politicians and experts have attempted to push for architectural competitions for the design of the new stations, but were unsuccessful.

In the first phase, the section of metro from Pankrác to Olbrachtova will be created. Subsequently, the construction will be extended to the planned stop at Nové Dvory. Lastly, in the direction south, the route from Nové Dvory to the final Depot Písnice will be built. In addition to the section from Pankrác to Písnice, metro D will also run from Pankrác to Náměstí Míru. A decision about the construction of this part of the route has not yet been made. The new line will feature driverless trains. The Chamber of Deputies is currently approving an amendment to the law that will allow this.