The repair of Charles Bridge in Prague is approaching, it may start in July

PRAGUE - The repair of Charles Bridge in Prague is approaching. According to the mayor's deputy Jan Bürgermeister (ODS), work on the reconstruction of this important monument could begin in July. How long it will take is not yet known. Preliminary discussions suggest two years. Earlier, workers secured two pillars on the Lesser Town side of the bridge, which are now thoroughly anchored.
The main works on the bridge will include the installation of waterproof insulation and a new distribution solution to prevent damage. The ventilation of the bridge also needs to be improved. The project is essentially complete, and conditions for the tender to select the company that will carry out the works are being prepared, Bürgermeister said today to ČTK.
In the foreseeable future, a building permit will also be issued. "We could have a contractor by June, and we could start work in July," the deputy stated. The duration of repairs, according to him, will result from the tender process. "We will clearly prioritize quality, warranty period, and the condition of maintaining, albeit limited, traffic on Charles Bridge," emphasized Bürgermeister.
The replacement of damaged stones from the masonry will likely take much longer than the repair of the bridge deck. Bürgermeister thinks the timeline for this work should not be determined at all. "Once the experts say that the stone is healthy, then it will stop," he stated. There is even consideration of opening a workshop in one of the bridge arches where stonemasons would work. It could also serve as a tourist attraction.
From a stability perspective, some experts believe the most important factor was to anchor two pillars that had not been treated since the flood in 1890. They already have new foundations.
For the replacement of the stone masonry, there are thoughts of opening a quarry where material identical to that used in the Middle Ages would be extracted. Bürgermeister mentioned today that experts have already found a location but did not want to disclose where. Whether the quarry will actually be opened depends on the decision of the expert committee and councilors.
The city would like to establish a permanent exhibition related to Charles Bridge. People would be able to see valuable items found during excavations beneath the bridge. For instance, tiles from Judith Bridge, which collapsed during a flood in 1342, were found. Divers also discovered a fragment of an angel from the group of Saint Wenceslas with angels, which had been lying in the water for over 200 years, among other treasures.
According to Bürgermeister, the exhibition could be held in a gallery at Křižovnické Square in spaces where remnants of Judith Bridge are located. The deputy believes the city will manage to reach an agreement with the owner and the tenant. "It looks very promising," he added.