Repairs on the Hlávkův Bridge will begin, cars will travel in one lane.

Prague - The replacement of the most damaged transition panels between the various sections of the Hlávkův Bridge in Prague, over which trams run, begins. The replacement, which will be carried out by the Technical Administration of Communications (TSK), will be completed by May 11. During the work, traffic will be partially restricted, with cars using one lane. Tram traffic will remain unaffected. The Hlávkův Bridge consists of several bridges that are in poor condition.

Prague is also preparing repairs that will likely require some parts of the bridge to be demolished. It is expected to be completed within two years. The first sections of the bridge were built between 1908 and 1910, with the newest ones dating back to the turn of the 1950s and 60s. The bridge is a protected monument.

The length of the repaired section is approximately 107 meters. TSK will remove all layers of the roadway and demolish the damaged precast panels. The asphalt insulation strips will also undergo reconstruction.

A recent analysis by the Klokner Institute at Czech Technical University proved that the foundations, pillars, and load-bearing arches of the historical parts of the bridge are in good condition. The pillars and foundations are also in good shape. Experts took samples down to what are called sub-foundations. According to specialists, the bridge's foundations are functional and satisfactory.

Conversely, the part of the bridge that opens onto Vltavská is in very poor condition. It consists of a so-called prestressed structure, and experts recommend demolishing it and replacing it with a new one. The decoration of the bridge also requires reconstruction, and neither the cornices nor the railings are in good condition.

Prague has long been facing problems with the state of its bridges. In early December 2017, a footbridge collapsed between Císařský Island and Troja. Four people were injured in the accident. Prague is currently also addressing the repair of the Libeň Bridge. The Palackého Bridge is similarly in poor condition, and this year, Prague will repair the lower sections of the Barrandov Bridge.