Prague has announced a tender for the construction of the HolKa footbridge connecting Holešovice and Karlín

Prague – The Prague City Hall has announced a public contract for the construction of the HolKa bridge connecting Prague's Holešovice and Karlín. It will be completed by the end of next year. CTK reported today that Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě) confirmed this. According to data in the public procurement bulletin, the construction costs are expected to be a maximum of 197 million crowns. The bridge will facilitate access for pedestrians and cyclists to the island and will also serve as another connection between Holešovice and Karlín, which has been provided by the HolKa ferry since the summer of 2015. The bridge's design was created by architects Petr Tej and Marek Blank. Last year, Prague opened a new bridge from Císařský ostrov to Troja. The original collapsed at the end of 2017.

"Pedestrians will receive a quality connection, as well as a beautiful view of the Castle. At the same time, thanks to the bridge, we will get from Karlín to the gates of the Holešovice market in just a few minutes and gain easy access to Štvanice, which is set to undergo a complete transformation," said Scheinherr.

On the Holešovice bank of the Vltava, access to the bridge will be at Bubenské nábřeží in front of the entrance to the Prague market. In Karlín, it will connect to the bike path leading along the flood barrier on Rohanském nábřeží. The bridge will span 38 meters between Karlín and Štvanice and 149 meters between Štvanice and Holešovice.

Currently, people can only get from Karlín to Holešovice on foot via the busy Hlávkův bridge or via a detour through Rohanský island and Libeň bridge. They can also take the mentioned ferry. The bridge will serve as a link for cyclists by connecting the main bike paths running along the Vltava on both banks.

In addition to the construction of the bridge itself, the intersection of Bubenské nábřeží and Argentinská street will also be repaired during its construction. Simultaneously, the transport company (DPP) will repair the tram line on the embankment. The Bubenské nábřeží will also undergo a total reconstruction in the future. "It will become a wide barrier-free promenade. It will replace the existing two narrow sidewalks, which are problematic for a mother with a stroller to navigate," Scheinherr stated.

Interested parties can apply for the tender until May 14 of this year. The criteria will not only include price, but also the length of construction. "Now we have also set the warranty period as a criterion," added Scheinherr.