Kladno wants better connectivity of the planned bridge to the adjacent streets

Kladno - Kladno wants better connectivity of the planned new Sítenský Bridge to the adjacent streets. The bridge is set to replace the current one, built in the 1960s, which is in poor technical condition, within five years. According to Kladno city councilor and architect Ondřej Rys (from the Choice for Kladno party), the bridge is part of the public space and, along with the roads, must create a meaningful and functional whole in terms of transport and urban planning.

According to the now-opposition, previously coalition, councilor Lukáš Hanas (ODS), architects, a structural engineer, and traffic engineers were involved in the proposal assignment.

The Sítenský Bridge connects the center of Kladno with the Sítná district and serves as one of the main thoroughfares in Kladno. The proposed structure will not have supporting columns like the existing bridge but will feature one large supporting arch over the Sítenské valley. "The proposal is successful both structurally and aesthetically, and there is no reason to throw it in the trash," added Rys. According to the councilor, construction of the bridge could start in 2024 and is expected to cost over 200 million crowns.

The design of the new bridge proposes that motor traffic will be served by four lanes, just like on the current bridge. This year, the city will request a new background study regarding connectivity to the streets and the surrounding development, according to the councilor.

Rys also considers it a problem that the proposed bridge does not address the routing of the hot water pipeline, which is currently suspended. According to Hanas, the city’s leadership has agreed with the architect that the hot water line will be relocated underground by the heating company Tepo.

The design of the new bridge was commissioned by the now former city leadership from architect Josef Pleskot. Kladno has been governed since September by a coalition of the Choice for Kladno party, KSČM, and two former members of ANO. The previous coalition comprised ODS, Kladeňáci, and ANO.