The Charles Bridge is starting to be repaired today, barriers are already in place

Prague - The long-planned renovation of Charles Bridge began today. People crossing the most famous bridge in Prague this morning have already noticed the first preparations for the reconstruction. Workers erected barriers starting from the Lesser Town Bridge Tower on the left side, which currently end at the statue of Saint Cajetan.
"Today the bridge officially begins to be repaired, the handover of the site took place on Friday," said Michal Mikšík from the press department of the municipal office to ČTK. According to him, the workers will first focus on constructing barriers and preparing the technical facilities.
The reconstruction is divided into two phases: the first will end in June 2010, while the second will last up to ten years. Throughout the duration of the work, the bridge will remain accessible to the public. The construction will be carried out in sections, and up to half of the bridge will be closed off by barriers that will be transparent at the top. However, there will always be at least four meters of the bridge width available for pedestrians.
The repairs will start from the Lesser Town Bridge Tower. The first part of the work will involve restoring the sewage system, followed by the reconstruction of the road surface. The company Stavby mosty Praha will also use vessels, on which, for example, a crane will be anchored.
The repair process will involve removing the entire road surface. Then the builders will return the base layers, spray insulation, which will be covered with asphalt. Following this will be a layer where networks, cables, and possibly gas conduits will be laid. On top of this, geotextiles and a base for the roadway will be placed. Finally, the paving will be restored. In the second phase, the stone cladding of the bridge will be reconstructed. It will be taken down entirely and the damaged blocks will be replaced.
The repair will be monitored by archaeologists and heritage conservationists from the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). "The origins of the bridge are unknown to us, and every new discovery will enrich our knowledge," stated Jaroslav Podliska from NPÚ earlier.
The first part of the repair will cost approximately 220 million crowns. The city will finance it largely from its own budget. People also contributed to the collection for the renovation of the bridge, part of which comes from sponsors. The cost of the second part of the repair is still unknown, according to municipal spokesman Jiří Wolf.