The new terminal in Jihlava will give way to the station building according to the study

Jihlava - In the construction of a central transport terminal in Jihlava, the current building of the city train station should be replaced by a modern structure that, in addition to train transport, will provide facilities for a new bus station, public transport, and taxi services. The study commissioned by the city considers extensive modifications to the entire area around the underutilized Jihlava-city train station, including a new road connection between Havlíčkova and Jiráskova streets.

The urban planning and architectural study was prepared by Atelier RAW for 1.4 million crowns. The city has now published the study on its website. The public can express their opinions at a presentation on April 25. The proposal follows the winning conceptual study from last year. At that time, the city had three development concepts for the area near the city train station worked out. The study will serve as a basis for further stages of project documentation.

Jihlava is collaborating with the state Railway Infrastructure Administration (SŽDC) and the region on the project preparations. Deputy Mayor Vratislav Výborný (ČSSD) told reporters today that SŽDC will be responsible for the redevelopment of the railway yard and the train station building in the project. "We will be working on the forecourt and part of the platforms," he stated.

The last meeting of the working group was on Wednesday, and the discussion also included the planned high-speed railway, to which the new Jihlava transport terminal should eventually be connected. "In any case, we have to consider this, although not in the immediate years," Výborný stated. He did not want to comment on a possible start date for construction. According to him, it is currently necessary to determine the scope of public transport that would utilize the terminal.

The dilapidated station building is not protected as a historical monument, according to the study. A new hall is proposed as a two-story structure. Next to it, a covered bus station is planned to be relocated there.

The construction of the check-in hall is part of the planned investment project by SŽDC called Modernization of Jihlava city train station. "We expect the actual implementation no earlier than after 2020, primarily due to the resolution of the high-speed line connection," stated SŽDC spokesman Marek Illiaš today to ČTK. In the case that an earlier solution for the terminal building is necessary, he said it would be necessary to divide the project into the terminal building and the infrastructure. "We will, of course, discuss the plans and possibilities with representatives of the city and the Vysočina Region," Illiaš stated.

The basic outline of the modified area, according to the study, is created by a new road connection between the roundabout in Havlíčkova street and Jirásková street, with modifications also concerning other routes. A roundabout should be created in front of the new station building. In the eastern part, a parking garage for 120 cars is proposed, possibly alongside a parking lot.

The area should offer seating, refreshment options, and relaxation opportunities, and a large fountain is also planned in front of the train station building. In the long term, an underpass could also be created, allowing people to access the Český mlýn and the shopping zone from the station.

The study anticipates the project's implementation in phases. The city has currently estimated the costs of the first phase, excluding SŽDC investments, at around 200 million crowns, half of which it would like to obtain from European funds.