The repair of the Barrandov Bridge is interrupted, it will resume at the end of February

Prague – Work on the first phase of the reconstruction of the Barrandov Bridge in Prague, which began at the end of September, has been interrupted for winter. It will resume at the end of February next year. Currently, the reconstruction concerns the lower part of the bridge and the pillars, of which one has been repaired so far and work has begun on another. Next year, four more will be repaired, two of which are in the water. Subsequently, in 2022, work will begin on the upper part of the bridge, which will last until 2025 and bring traffic restrictions. This was announced today to journalists by representatives of the city and the companies carrying out the construction.

For the city’s Technical Administration of Communications (TSK), the first phase of repairs is being carried out by the companies Eurovia CS and Freyssinet CS. The first pillar to be repaired was located on Modřanská Street, where traffic was narrowed to one lane until Sunday. Construction work under the bridge will no longer restrict vehicular traffic, said construction company representative Petr Tesař to journalists on the construction inspection day today. Next year, the closures will only affect the bike paths on both sides of the river.

Next year, work will also take place on the water, as the construction of the second repaired pillar is already being served with the help of pontoons and boats that bring materials and equipment from the Smíchov harbor. Divers are also participating in the operation.

According to the builders, nothing unexpected has appeared so far while uncovering the pillars. One of the original designers of the bridge, Jan Růžička, also attended today’s inspection day. According to him, the structure is in good condition. "Considering that it is a socialist work, the concrete is very good, and the reinforcement is very good. Of course, there are places where it has deteriorated, but on average, the work is not bad," he said.

The entire first phase of repairs should be completed by November next year at the latest. Deputy Mayor for Transport Adam Scheinherr (Prague Yours) stated that next year the city will announce a competition for the contractor for the following phase, which concerns the upper part of the bridge. While the first phase is estimated to cost about 63.3 million crowns excluding VAT, the second phase will, according to the deputy, cost around half a billion.

With the next phase of repairs, there will also be more significant traffic restrictions starting in 2022, expected to last for at least four years. "There will always be a restriction of one lane on the bridge during the construction season, so there will be three plus three, whereas normally it is four plus four," explained the deputy.

The Barrandov Bridge connects Prague 4 and 5. It was built between 1978 and 1988, measures over 340 meters, and has eight traffic lanes and two sidewalks. It is part of the Prague ring road and carries 144,000 vehicles daily.

Prague has problems with the condition of its bridges. In early December 2017, a footbridge between Císařský Island and Troja collapsed. Four people were injured in the accident. A new footbridge was completed this October. In addition to the Barrandov Bridge, the city hall is also addressing the repair of the Hlávkův Bridge, and a complete reconstruction of the Libeň Bridge is planned. The Palackého Bridge is also in poor condition. Scheinherr stated some time ago that TSK has planned bridge reconstructions worth five billion crowns by 2026.