People could see the first fields of the new Dvorecky Bridge at the end of the year

Prague – At the end of this year, residents could see the first fields of the under-construction Dvorecký Bridge on both banks of the Vltava River between Prague 4 and 5. Workers have completed the foundations of the pillars on the banks and have carried out what is known as deep foundation work in the river. The support structure on the Smíchov side is finished, and concrete work on the support in Podolí is underway. This was stated to journalists today by Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib, City Councillor Michal Hroza, and site manager from Metrostav TBR, Petr Koukolík.

The construction began in September 2022, will cost 1.075 billion CZK, and is expected to be completed in November 2025. The bridge will carry the name of one of the significant women. Proposals will be selected by the city’s geographical commission, and the name will be chosen by Prague residents in a poll. The construction is being carried out by a consortium of companies Metrostav TBR Firesta Strabag – Dvorecký bridge.

"At this moment, the complete pile foundation for the construction is in place across all axes of the bridge; all foundations have been practically completed, and a pit for pier P4 is currently being constructed in the water. On the banks, we have two piles concreted, one support structure completed, and one pile will be concreted today, while we still need to complete the support structure, which is scheduled for next week. Therefore, the lower structure will be fully completed next week," Koukolík told ČTK.

The foundations have the pillars that are on the bank. Two are missing from the riverbed. "There is only deep foundation work there; pits need to be constructed, drained, excavated, and only then can the foundations be made," stated Koukolík.

One of the pillars will be concreted by workers tonight due to high temperatures, as excessive heat causes the concrete to overheat. "It sets much faster, which can result in cracks. Although the nights are tropical, it is still better than having 40 degrees Celsius in the sun," said Koukolík. The company is also storing stones in the concrete plant in such a way that they are not exposed to the sun, cooling water, and has a system in the pillar to cool the temperature during concreting.

In the coming weeks, workers will begin removing the formwork of the support between the first pillar and the support near the Lihovar, initiate the construction of the arch, and create the supporting structure. "This process on the Podolí side is already beginning, meaning we have started building the spatial arch between pier P6 and the support. Subsequently, on the banks, the supporting structure will begin, and by the end of the year, we will see some of the fields concreted. Pits will be made in the water, and the lower structure and foundations of the pillars will start. By the end of the year, you will already see a piece of the bridge; the first field will be concreted," Koukolík said.

The construction has been delayed and will likely become more expensive due to issues with the substrate in the riverbed and on the bank. Under Strakonická Street, builders discovered an unknown bridge and cavities. "Even though detailed surveys were conducted, unfortunately, geological anomalies were found in the immediate vicinity of the exploratory boreholes, which required different technical solutions," Hřib said.

The costs will likely increase precisely because of these issues. It is unclear by how much. Prague will request funds for the construction from European funds. "It will be necessary to demonstrate that the bridge will enhance the environmental efficiency of public transport; we must provide evidence of how many trams and buses will operate here and generally how it benefits sustainable transport. The documents are currently being prepared," Hřib said. Buses number 118, 196, and 197 will travel over the bridge, transporting up to 50,000 people daily along with trams.

The city wants to renovate the banks beneath the bridge's approaches. Thus, on the Smíchov side, there will need to be a park with lamps designed by artist Krištof Kintera. "We know that under the bridge, those we don’t want congregating there often gather. The best way to prevent this is to give those places a different purpose," said Hroza. The lamps will be from around the world, including from Paris, London, Japan, and parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia.

The bridge will serve trams, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians, and will also be accessible to emergency services. The eastern exit will be at the northern edge of the Žluté lázně area, and the western exit will be near the Lihovar tram stop. It will be 388 meters long and 16 meters wide. The construction includes both abutments of the bridge, a bike path, retaining walls, and artwork.