The leadership of Prague will discuss the study of repairs to the Libeň Bridge next week

Prague - The leadership of the capital city will discuss the study for the reconstruction of the Libeň Bridge next week. If approved, a contract will be announced, and approximately in six months, a contract with the project and repair contractor could be signed. In an interview with ČTK, Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě) said this today. The Libeň Bridge, built in 1928, is in poor condition and has never been repaired.

The Technical Road Administration (TSK) last tested the bridge this year in March and July. Based on the test results, trams can travel over the bridge at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, significantly faster than before.

"Next week, I will present a material for the council meeting. I expect that within a month, the Technical Road Administration will announce a contract for the project and repair contractor," Scheinherr said.

In the tender, TSK will look for a company according to the project and build rule, meaning a company that will deliver not only the project but will also carry out the repairs on the bridge itself. According to Scheinherr, if everything goes smoothly, the contract could be signed in about six months. The actual repair would then begin in the first half of 2022.

Due to its poor condition, the speed of trams was reduced on the bridge in 2014. In the spring of 2018, TSK supported the frame structures at the main bridgehead over the Vltava River.

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

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