After completion, the Blanka tunnel will cost 200 million crowns per year

Prague - Even after completion, the controversial tunnel complex Blanka will burden the Prague budget. The operation of the tunnel will cost Prague about 200 million crowns annually. This was stated by Deputy Mayor Josef Nosek (ODS). Prague spends several billion crowns each year on the construction of Blanka, with total costs expected to be around 36 billion CZK. The tunnel is set to be operational in 2014.
Prague wants drivers to start using the tunnel before the end of the electoral term, but the city will continue to repay the construction costs even after 2014. At the same time, in 2014 the city will already be paying for the operation of this part of the bypass. According to Nosek, the estimated operational costs include money for ventilation, lighting, cleaning, security system operation, and water drainage.
This will likely be managed by the Prague Technical Administration of Communications, which is currently responsible for five Prague tunnels. According to spokesperson Tomáš Mrázek, it has 92.5 million crowns annually in the budget for these purposes. "If we were to take over the management of the Blanka tunnel, the city would have to increase our budget," Mrázek told ČTK.
Due to high costs, the city will also not start construction on the connecting section of the ring road from Pelc Tyrolka to Štěrboholská radiála in the coming years, which could cost around 40 billion crowns. This northeastern section of the inner ring received a positive opinion in the EIA process, which examines the impact of construction on the environment, in recent days.
Due to a shortage of funds, the city will not prepare for the lowering of the main road at the National Museum either.
In recent years, Prague's revenues have been declining, the metropolis is limiting operational expenses and is not initiating new investments. According to preliminary data, next year it might have around eight billion crowns for investments, most of which will likely be allocated to the Blanka tunnel.