Pardubická třída Míru should become a pedestrian zone within two years

Pardubice - Pardubice plans to transform the busy Míru street in the city center into a pedestrian zone by the end of 2013. The construction costs are estimated at approximately 140 million crowns. The city will seek a grant of up to 85 percent from the Integrated Urban Development Plan, which still has about 120 million crowns remaining, said Jiří Rozinek (CSSD), the deputy mayor, to journalists today.
"The city wants to include Míru street along with Sladkovský street; we will have to supplement the remaining funds. We would be happy if it were as little as possible, preferably the required 15 percent that the city has to co-finance," Rozinek stated.
If the grant cannot be obtained, the city hall would pay for the reconstruction from funds remaining from this year's budget, reserves, and a credit line.
The city council confirmed again on Tuesday that Míru street will be a pedestrian zone. However, it will only be partially reserved for pedestrians. Traffic will only be removed from the section from the intersection with Sladkovský street to the Republic Square. At the same time, Pernerova street will newly lead into the commercial street, and Sladkovský street will be repaired.
Completing the demanding reconstruction will be very challenging. The city does not yet have complete project documentation, only a study. In the pedestrian zone, it will be necessary to remove part of the trolleybus wiring and reroute it along Sukova street. Additionally, utility networks will need to be repaired.
Nevertheless, one lane for traffic on Míru street will remain. It will be used for deliveries, sanitation, and as a possible route in case of an emergency. Therefore, the trolleybus line will also be preserved.
According to mayor Štěpánka Fraňková (Association for Pardubice), construction could ideally begin at the end of next year. Due to the requirements of the grant, the construction should be completed by the end of 2013.