The footbridge over the Orlice in Hradec is almost finished, it will open in the summer

Hradec Králové - The construction of the footbridge across the Orlice River in Hradec Králové is nearly complete. It is expected to open to pedestrians and cyclists in the summer. The steel bridge will form an important part of the main network of bike paths in the city of one hundred thousand inhabitants. Jindřich Vedlich, the city hall deputy, said this today to ČTK.
The footbridge, approximately 75 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, spans the Orlice River between the winter sports stadium and the buildings of Hradec Králové University. The bridge is important for connecting the university campus with the city center. Currently, cyclists have to use a nearby narrow bridge that is heavily trafficked.
The bridge project was designed for the city by the renowned Czech architect Mirko Baum, who works in Germany. "The footbridge has an original design, and in the future, the city could utilize its solution for other planned footbridges," Vedlich said.
The construction of the bridge began last autumn by the company M-Silnice, which won the contract with the lowest bid of 26 million crowns, including VAT. Approximately 85 percent of the costs will be covered by grants from European Union funds. "The builders have a completion deadline of May 31. The footbridge should be approved in June and subsequently opened to the public," Vedlich said.
In the past, the city wanted to build a new footbridge across the Elbe River, near the Aldis Congress Center. On one bank, the city hall has already constructed an access ramp for the footbridge, which was not built due to opposition from civic associations. Activists were unhappy that a massive oak tree would have to be felled for the construction.