Prague Bridges: the worst off is the Libeň Bridge

Prague - The condition of some of the Prague bridges over the Vltava River is very poor. This follows from a report prepared for the city by the Technical Communication Administration (TSK). The worst affected is the Libeň Bridge, which urgently needs to be reconstructed. The Hlávkův and Palacký bridges also require repairs. Additionally, the bridges were damaged by the June floods, which washed out joints and eroded the bridge abutments. In contrast, the Lahovický Bridge, Mánesův Bridge, and the repaired Štefánikův Bridge are all in good condition.
    "The Libeň Bridge is clearly in the worst condition. We have long been advocating for its repair, but it depends on how much money Prague will have," said TSK spokesperson Tomáš Mrázek.
    The condition of the most damaged structural sections can still be labeled as very poor even after the construction of a temporary support system in 2009, with the main arches being in poor condition. "It is therefore necessary to carry out their reconstruction as soon as possible," states the TSK document.
    The estimated cost of repairing the bridge built in 1928 is 1.9 billion crowns. Additionally, there is a problem that the construction permit for the bridge reconstruction will expire in September. "We will strive to extend it for another two years," Mrázek said.
    The Legií Bridge, built in 1901, also urgently needs reconstruction. The condition according to TSK: poor. From 2010 to 2011, the toll houses on both abutments were restored. However, this is not sufficient. "In recent times, there has been a noticeable increase in degenerative faults in the stone elements of the arches caused by a non-functional waterproofing system and increasing disintegration of the connection of the stone elements of the railing," states the document.
    According to experts, repairs must begin by 2016, including re-insulation of the load-bearing structure and sidewalks, drainage elements, replacement of damaged stones in the arches, and repair of the railings.
    In the case of the Palacký Bridge, TSK recorded a significant increase in defects, primarily in the lightweight brick arches of the bridge deck due to a non-functional waterproofing system. The bridge was also damaged by the June floods, which washed away up to 20 percent of the joints between the stones on some pillars. Experts suggest starting repairs no later than 2018.
    TSK also reports poor conditions for the Hlávkův Bridge, which consists of two sections. "Both structures connecting the banks of the Vltava have defects and faults which directly affect the lifespan of the constructions. The inserted intermediate slabs under the tram carriageway and the roadway are in very poor condition. Achieving standard load-bearing capacity values for the existing constructions is practically unfeasible," states the TSK report.
    The Troja footbridge and the pedestrian bridge on the Branický railway bridge are not in good condition either, where some of the concrete panels are in poor condition. In the case of the Troja footbridge, a diagnostic survey revealed significant weakening of the tension cables, which are corroding. "Even with necessary work done in 2011 and other measures, the estimated lifespan of the footbridge under normal operation is 5 to 7 years," the experts stated.
    In contrast, TSK rated the condition of the Barikádníků Bridge, built in 1980, the Jiráskův Bridge, and the Závodu míru Bridge, which was repaired in 1996, as good. The Jiráskův Bridge built in 1932 was repaired in 1989. The Čechův Bridge is in good condition as well, but its artistic decoration is in poor condition. TSK has already removed statues and pylons from it.
    The Barrandovský Bridge, built in 1988, is in good condition, with repairs including the roadway and guard walls carried out from 2006 to 2007. "There are local waterproofing defects in the construction of the ledges and bridge closures, which have not yet significantly affected the lifespan of the bridge," the experts write, noting that repairs will need to be done within 10 years, especially for drainage.
    The Štefánikův Bridge, which was fully repaired in 2007 with an investment from the city of almost half a billion crowns, is in very good condition. Mánesův Bridge is also rated as very good; it was repaired in 1994. The third bridge rated as very good is the Lahovický Bridge from 2004.
    A figurative standalone chapter is the Charles Bridge. It is undergoing gradual reconstruction under the supervision of heritage protectors. In 2005, the foundations of the left bank pillars of the bridge were secured, and in August 2007, the repair of the superstructure began, ending in 2010. "The condition of the deck is very good, that of the stone arches and pillars is satisfactory to poor," writes TSK.
    The double-track railway bridge between Podskalí and Smíchov is in satisfactory condition.