New metro station Střížkov is already rising above ground

Prague - The new station of the Prague Metro Střížkov on the under-construction extension of Line C from Ládví to Letňany is already growing above ground. Workers are currently constructing giant steel beams, to which the roof structure will be suspended by stainless steel rods. Under the roof, there should be a station that will form an architectural landmark of the Prosek housing estate, next February, project manager Petr Hankovec from Hochtief VSB told reporters during today's tour.
The metro section from Ládví to Letňany, 4.6 kilometers long, is expected to open in 2008. The costs will be approximately 15.5 billion crowns. The value of the contract for the construction of the Střížkov station is about 1.3 billion crowns, according to Hankovec.
The Střížkov station was designed by architect Patrik Kotas, who is also the author of the uniquely designed tram line from Hlubočepy to Barrandov. "The steel structure will make the Střížkov station one of the most interesting in the metro network," Hankovec stated.
The reinforced concrete structures underground are practically finished; workers are building thresholds for the tracks. To assemble the steel beams, which will make up the entire glass station in the shape of an eye, the company had to use the largest mobile crane in the Czech Republic. The arcs of the beams rise up to 20 meters above ground, with the roof being slightly lower.
The station will not have a platform in the middle but, like at Vyšehrad or the Main Station, on the sides. It will include a passage under Vysočanská Street. Notably, there will be atypical circular elevators for disabled people. Trees will grow directly in the station.
According to Hankovec, the main construction work on the station should be completed by next September, after which the technological equipment will be installed. Test operations are expected to begin in early 2008. There will be two more stations on the under-construction section of the metro, Prosek and the terminus in Letňany. According to Hankovec, they are roughly at the same construction stage as Střížkov.
The new section of the metro is being constructed by a consortium of companies Metrostav, Skanska, and Subterra. The Střížkov station is being built by Hochtief VSB in partnership with OHL ŽS.