A new footbridge designed by Josef Pleskot has opened in Ostrava

Ostrava – A footbridge over the Ostravice River was opened today in Ostrava, designed by architect Josef Pleskot. The bridge, intended for pedestrians and cyclists, will connect the right bank of the Ostravice with the area of the national cultural monument Lower Vítkovice. Originally, its opening was planned for last autumn, but due to complications in construction, the completion was delayed. The construction cost over 103 million crowns excluding VAT, said journalist Jan Dohnal (Together).

"The footbridge has long been missing here because the Lower Vítkovice area is one of the hearts of the city today; it's the biggest tourist attraction we have. The connection, whether pedestrian or cycling, was not at the level that the place deserved. This footbridge connects the center with the Lower Vítkovice area, so today you can get here comfortably, safely, and easily on foot or by bike," said Dohnal. According to him, the bridge will also serve cyclists who will simply pass through the area.

Construction began last April and is a continuation of the E cycle path that runs along the right bank of the river. The builders installed the footbridge last December. Its installation required a number of specific procedures. After the footbridge was completed, it was necessary to apply a walking layer, which could only be done at a minimum temperature of ten degrees Celsius and at specific humidity. "The assembly of the steel structures was very demanding due to their size. The technically most challenging part was the assembly of the pylon, which was completed on-site by gradually assembling and installing individual parts," said Gabriela Šoukalová, technical director of one of the contractors.

The new cycle path is 550 meters long and four meters wide. The structure consists of two suspended sections of the bridge spanning a railway siding and the Ostravice River. From a side view, it has the shape of the letter A, and the central pylon is 28 meters high. While moving on the bridge, people can see the blast furnace, which was the architect's intention. Due to the proximity of the river and biocorridor, the footbridge will be illuminated in a way that resembles moonlight. "The system of both footbridges creates a single entity, appearing completely natural in the given landscape context, and does not lack a certain generosity, which suits the post-industrial landscape of Ostrava very well. I do not hide my great joy that I have been able to realize my intention," said Pleskot.

The architect has participated in a number of significant buildings in Ostrava, primarily in transforming the industrial area in Lower Vítkovice, where he designed the multifunctional Gong hall, the observation tower Bolt Tower, the Science and Technology Center, the Heligonka building, and the Agricultural Museum. For his exceptional contribution to the city's architectural development, the city previously awarded him the City of Ostrava Award.