Prague is choosing between two options for tram management at Wenceslas Square

Prague - Prague has several options for the return of trams to Wenceslas Square. The tram line from Vinohradská Street could lead to the main train station either via Opletalova Street or Wilsonova and then Vrchlického Gardens. This follows from a document prepared for Prague by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR). When and how the line would be constructed is not yet clear; it will depend on the city's decision. The return of trams to the square has been discussed for several years, but so far the city has not taken any concrete steps towards it.

IPR has developed several variants for the possible routes of the tram line. It ultimately selected two that it recommended to the city for further discussion. Both options propose that the line would run past the statue of Saint Wenceslas to the middle of the square, where it would connect to the existing line linking Vodičkova with Jindřišská Street. Both also require the revitalization of Vrchlického Gardens.

In the first variant, the route would run from Vinohradská across the main road and then along Wilsonova Street to Vrchlického Gardens. This option aims for minimal disruption to the greenery in the park near the main station. The line would connect to Opletalova Street at the intersection with Růžová Street. A condition for this variant's construction is to coordinate it with modifications to the north-south main road and to create stops in front of the State Opera.

The second variant envisions the line leading to the main train station through Wenceslas Square, from where trams would turn into Opletalova Street. This would require changes to the traffic regime in the street and also address the noise that the line would generate. This variant also proposes the establishment of a new stop at Wenceslas Square, which would be opposite the mouth of Opletalova Street.

IPR examined the possibility of running the line along Washingtonova Street to the main train station or Wilsonova and then through Vrchlického Gardens. However, it did not recommend either of these options for construction.

Which variant the city will choose is still unclear. "This is a key project for me, and we will choose the final version in a few weeks," said Deputy Mayor Petr Dolínek (ČSSD).

The return of trams to Wenceslas Square is primarily discussed in connection with the reconstruction of the square. A few years ago, the city held an architectural competition, in which the proposal from the Cigler-Marani studio won. However, Prague has not yet taken major steps towards the reconstruction; it only closed the lower part of the square to cars a few years ago. Trams ceased to run in the square in 1980.