The Deputy Dolínek will present the plan for the demolition of the Libeň Bridge to the councilors

Prague - The fate of the Libeň Bridge in Prague could become clear on Tuesday. The deputy of the mayor, Petr Dolínek (ČSSD), wants to present a plan for the demolition and construction of a new bridge to the Prague council for approval. Dolínek wrote this on his Facebook profile today. He cited the reason that it is the fastest and most efficient way. The bridge is in poor condition and was closed for six weeks this year due to the need to support some structures. In the past, Prague 7 and civic associations opposed the demolition. The bridge, built in 1928, has never been repaired.

"Tomorrow (Tuesday), I will propose to the city council that we go the route of demolishing and constructing a new Libeň Bridge. All expert assessments show this option to be the fastest and most efficient regarding the lifespan, functionality, and safety of the bridge, as well as being the most economical in terms of future costs,” wrote Dolínek.

If Dolínek's plan is approved by the council, the city would construct the new bridge under the so-called yellow fidic regime, which is a method of contract award where its price is guaranteed. "The client will only describe the purpose, standards, scope, and other performance criteria in their assignment. The price is fixed, as well as the deadline. In the world, constructions under the yellow fidic regime are common, but in the Czech Republic, they are still rather exceptional," Dolínek stated in a response to CTK.

The plan was supported today by Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO). "The decision must be the best for the city, and so far everything indicates that it means constructing a new bridge. It will have an incomparably longer lifespan, maintenance costs will certainly be lower, and the overall costs turn out to be practically the same whether constructing a new bridge or renovating the existing structure," she told CTK.

According to Dolínek, the city needs a fully functional bridge both for flood situations when it is closed last, and for repairs to other bridges, such as the Hlávkov Bridge, which is also in very poor condition. "I already know that I will face opposition from the mayor of Prague 7 (Jan) Čižinský, probably also from the Greens and various activists who have different priorities. In the interest of all Prague residents and Prague transportation, I believe that I will succeed and we will build the bridge,” he stated.

Disputes over the method of reconstructing the bridge have been ongoing for years. Some politicians and residents advocate for the renovation of the current bridge, considering it architecturally valuable. A petition against demolition has been formed. The fate of the bridge was also addressed by the Ministry of Culture, which did not declare it a monument. The National Heritage Institute stated in mid-April that it wants to reopen the issue of declaring the Libeň Bridge a cultural monument and has thus submitted a request to the ministry to reconsider its decision.

Since the bridge was put into operation in 1928, its supporting structure has never been repaired. The authors of the Libeň Bridge are architect Pavel Janák and engineer František Mencl.