<Praha offered assistance in searching for a possible new location for the railway bridge.</P>

Prague - Prague has offered the Railway Administration (SŽ) assistance in finding a potential new location for the railway bridge structure between Podskalí and Smíchov, should it decide to build a new bridge in its place. The riveted structure could serve pedestrians and cyclists. Where it would stand is unclear; the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) is to find a new location. The city will also urge the Ministry of Transport in a letter to make a decision about the future of the bridge as soon as possible, as the current situation complicates public transport operations. This was stated today by Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) to journalists.

Given its emergency state, currently only one train set can pass over the bridge at a reduced speed of a maximum of 20 kilometers per hour. SŽ proposes to demolish the bridge and build a new one. Residents and some experts opposed this in a petition. The fate of the bridge is to be decided by the Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (ODS) by the end of the year.

According to Hřib, the decision to limit traffic on the bridge will impact Prague’s public transport, affecting both suburban train services and metro line B. "The metro will be much more burdened and is already very crowded. For this reason, we have approved a letter to the Ministry of Transport to accelerate the process of resolving this very inappropriate situation," Hřib said.

If SŽ and the ministry decide to demolish the bridge, the city's leadership offers to find a place where it could be relocated. It would serve only cyclists and pedestrians, not for railway transport. IPR is currently identifying suitable locations. "These are places that comply with the zoning plan. If SŽ is interested, we offer a helping hand," Hřib said. He did not specify the exact locations.

Over 200 people protested against the demolition of the railway bridge in September. The association Nebourat, which organized the action, also conducted an online petition against the plan. Approximately 20,600 people have signed it so far. In early August, the association filed a criminal complaint against the bridge administrator SŽ on suspicion of the crime of abuse of ownership, which, according to the representatives of the association, occurred in relation to the failure to carry out repairs and maintenance of the bridge.

SŽ has been managing the Vyšehrad railway bridge since 2004, when it was declared a cultural monument. Since 2010, SŽ has unsuccessfully attempted to have this status removed twice.

The railway bridge at Výton was opened on August 15, 1872. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, it was replaced by a bridge that still spans the Vltava. According to experts, the structure is a significant technical cultural monument in an exposed part of the Prague heritage reserve.