<div>New footbridge over the Elbe in H. Králové may be slippery, the city has put up warning signs for it</div>

Hradec Králové – The recently opened foot and cycle bridge over the Elbe in Hradec Králové may be slippery. Today, the technical services temporarily put up informational signs on the bridge with the inscription "Caution slippery surface." City hall spokesperson Kateřina Rohlíčková told ČTK that frost may appear in the morning and the surface of the bridge can be slippery. The construction of the bridge, which is 103 meters long and 5.7 meters wide, cost 175 million crowns. It was the largest completed investment by the city in recent years.

Slipping on the concrete and steel bridge could reportedly also pose a risk after rain. "Like any other surface, the surface of the bridge is more slippery after rain, and care should be taken when walking or riding," said deputy mayor for investments Lukáš Řádek.

In recent days, the city hall has been addressing how to properly maintain the surface of the bridge. "The city requested an addition to the maintenance plan from the designer, which specifies suitable de-icing materials for winter maintenance. The addition indicates that the ideal material is a special fraction (of artificial aggregate) of expanded clay. Additionally, de-icing salt can also be used," said the spokesperson.

The bridge features an unusual design, which according to the city hall was also the reason for its high cost. The bridge consists of support cables, a steel ribbed structure, and 39 pieces of slender segments of a thin deck, which are made of a special high-strength concrete.

Hradec is hoping that the bridge, which was opened on March 2, will revitalize the Aldis zone and Smetana waterfront and connect them with the city center. In the Aldis area, for example, stands the convention center of the same name, the regional headquarters of ČSOB, or the congress hotel Aldis opened last year. The bridge will also provide a safe connection between the city center and Šimkovy sady. The city hall secured a European subsidy for the construction amounting to 102.7 million crowns.

The city has been preparing the construction since 2003 and started building it in 2021. The project faced numerous delays in the past. Environmentalists had objections to the project. Delays and disputes also accompanied the architectural competition. Ornithologists raised objections regarding the appearance of the bridge. The city found a contractor for the bridge only in the fourth tender.