Prague councilors postponed the discussion of the study on the repairs of the Libeň Bridge

Prague - Prague councilors today postponed the discussion of the reconstruction study of the Libeň Bridge. The material will be discussed at their meeting next week. The reason is a request from the city council's transport committee for the document to be presented first at its meeting. Adam Scheinherr (Prague for Themselves), the deputy mayor, informed ČTK of this today. The Libeň Bridge, built in 1928, is in poor condition and has never been repaired.

Scheinherr stated that a request for a change in the procedure for presenting the material was made by the committee, as it is a significant document. Additionally, opposition councilors present at the committee meeting vote on the document. The public may also attend. In contrast, council meetings are non-public, and although opposition representatives can attend, they cannot vote on the document. The committee will meet on Tuesday, September 8.

After the document is reviewed by both the committee and the councilors, the Technical Road Administration (TSK) should announce the contract. Scheinherr told ČTK last week that a contract with the contractor could be signed in about six months. In the tender, TSK will look for a company under the project and build rule, meaning a company that will provide not only the project but will also perform the repairs on the bridge itself. The reconstruction could begin in the first half of 2022.

Due to its poor condition, the speed of trams on the bridge was reduced in 2014. TSK tested the bridge this year, and based on the results, trams can travel across the bridge at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, significantly faster. In the spring of 2018, TSK supported the frame structures at the approach to the main bridge over the Vltava.

The Libeň Bridge is a complex consisting of a historic bridge over the Vltava and the so-called inundation bridge. In the past, it underwent one load test, but only in the inundation field near Palmovka. The city is preparing its reconstruction. The previous city leadership wanted to demolish the bridge, but they abandoned that plan.

Prague has long-standing problems with the condition of its bridges. At the beginning of December 2017, a footbridge between Císařský Island and Troja collapsed. Four people were injured in the accident. The new footbridge will be completed this October. Prague is currently also working on the repair of the Hlávkův Bridge. The Palackého Bridge is also in poor condition, and this year Prague is repairing the lower parts of the Barrandov Bridge.