Prague plans to reconstruct the main road and Ječná from Nusle Bridge to the Museum

Prague - Prague is preparing the reconstruction of the north-south thoroughfare in Sokolská and Legerova streets, where pedestrian crossings, 120 trees, and separate bike paths are to be added. The proposal for the modifications was presented to journalists today by representatives of the city council, Prague 2, and the Technical Administration of Communications (TSK), which is preparing the project. The modifications are expected to calm the traffic artery while not having a significant impact on its passability. The study also includes the reconstruction of the nearby Ječná street, and the city is preparing modifications to other parts of the thoroughfare.

The modifications will affect the section of streets from Karlovo to Muzeum. According to designer Petr Macek, the feasibility study should be completed this March, followed by approximately two years of design work. "If everything goes according to schedule, we should have everything realized within five to seven years," added project manager Lucie Kočišová from TSK.

The aim of the modifications is to transform the streets to be more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists. At the same time, the passability for cars should remain the same. "We are not harming the capacity of traffic," said Kočišová. There will mainly be three lanes preserved for cars. Although there are four lanes in Legerova street, cars do not use the fourth lane, so the modifications will only utilize the already existing space. There will also be places for parallel parking preserved, which will be located among the trees.

Designer Petr Macek from the Promika studio added that a reduction to two lanes is planned around Fügnerovo náměstí, where it should not cause traffic complications. The work will also involve a complete reconstruction of the engineering networks. According to TSK, the costs will be in the hundreds of millions of crowns, but the exact amount will only be clear after the completion of the project documentation and the selection of a contractor in a tender.

The study also includes modifications to the nearby Ječná street leading from I. P. Pavlova square to Karlovo náměstí. "Here we are working with the transport company, which has a building permit for the reconstruction of the tram," said Kočišová. She added that the Prague Waterworks Company is also planning a pipe replacement in Ječná, so all investments should be combined. The city plans to renew the rows of trees in the street, move and widen the tram stop, and enhance pedestrian safety.

Work in Ječná cannot begin until the tram line at Václavské náměstí is completed, which will ensure a detour route. Kočišová added that the work in Legerova, Sokolská, and Ječná can be separated, and discussions are still underway regarding their sequence.

According to Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), the city is also planning changes to other parts of the thoroughfare. In cooperation with the Railway Administration (SŽ), modifications are being prepared near the historic building of the main train station, where a large crossing is to be added. Furthermore, the city intends to modify the section between Hlávkův bridge and the main station, with plans for a reduction of driving lanes and widening of sidewalks and bike lanes. A reconstruction of Hlávkův bridge will also be necessary, which can only start after the city completes the reconstruction of the Libeňský bridge. The upcoming construction of the Vltava Philharmonic will also touch upon the thoroughfare across the river.

The proposal was criticized by the head of Prague's ANO party, Ondřej Prokop. "Instead of the deputy mayor (Hřib) addressing the city circuit, which would truly relieve traffic in Prague, he devises another city bottleneck that would further burden the waterfront and the surrounding thoroughfare. This doesn't make sense," he stated.

The north-south thoroughfare connects Prague 4 with Prague 7 and runs through the city center. Its construction began in the 1970s. There has been talk of modifications or so-called humanization of the thoroughfare in Prague for a long time, and a study by Danish architect Jan Gehl was created years ago. However, the adjustments proposed in it have not been implemented. Critics claim that changes would worsen traffic in the metropolis, and it is necessary to wait at least for the completion of the circuits. However, according to Hřib, this does not correspond to the traffic data, according to which the overwhelming majority of cars on the thoroughfare in the center start or end, making the circuits irrelevant for them.