Plzeň continues with the repair of Americká street, will improve Wilson bridge

Plzeň - Plzeň will continue with the reconstruction of the busy Americká Street and will repair the Wilson Bridge for nearly 60 million crowns. They want to have permission for the major repair of the bridge and the traction line by September. By the end of the year, the contractor will be clear and construction will begin in the first quarter of 2013. The bridge will then be closed to vehicles, public transport, and pedestrians for six months. CTK was informed by Deputy Mayor Petr Rund (ODS).
     Currently, Americká Street has been repaired from the major intersection near Práce to the roundabout at Mrakodrap and the short section leading to Wilson Bridge. All networks including electricity, gas, and hot water run underneath it, as well as an inadequate cable duct supplying power to trolleybuses and trams. "The issue of construction is the installation of new traction lines above the bridge, as hundreds of cables need to be transported from the transport company's building on Denisovo embankment, where there is a sewer under the road supported by pillars," said Rund. The structure of the bridge will be uncovered down to the vault, and after the surface is built, the pavement will be returned to it.
     "The bridge will be closed. Cars will have to detour via the U Jána intersection," said Ondřej Vohradský from the municipality. Vehicles will be divided into Štruncovy sady, Anglické embankment, and U Trati street.
     At the beginning of the year, councilors approved measures for greater attractiveness of the city center, which were based on suggestions from Plzeň residents. "We want to revitalize the square and calm traffic in the center," said Deputy Mayor Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD) earlier. Gaming houses will disappear from Americká Street, and it will be significantly calmed down. From Škroupova Street to the roundabout, it should be completely vehicle-free. The closure of Wilson Bridge during construction is intended to test this option.
     The first phase of the repair of Americká was completed three years ago. The complete renewal of the road surface, sidewalks, networks, and greenery cost 183 million crowns. It was one of the largest and most complex road reconstructions in the city. Sidewalks were widened, more trees were planted, benches and fountains with water were created, and a new roundabout was built at Mrakodrap.
     Americká is likely among the record holders for the number of names of a single street. The name has changed ten times. It began 140 years ago as Stodolní, it was also called Stalinova, Jungmannova, Moskevská, and Vítězná. The current name has been in use since 1991. Plzeň residents call it the Street of Political Mistakes.