The design of the new bridge near the center of Olomouc was created by DRNH

Olomouc - The Olomouc City Council wants to modify the appearance of the new bridge that will replace the old crossing over the Morava River on Masaryk Boulevard. The original design of the bridge was not favored by the council members or experts, and now a new variant is supposed to take precedence, which is said to fit better into this part of the city and will not disrupt the city's flood protection.
    Vice-Mayor Jan Holpuch (ODS) told journalists today that the city council discussed the bridge on Masaryk Boulevard as early as February. “The solution with longitudinal concrete ribs protruding above the deck, presented by the Morava River Basin Authority, raised significant doubts among the public and council members,” said Holpuch.
    Therefore, the city hall approached architect Antonín Novák from the Brno office DRNH, who prepared alternative designs for the bridge, the latest of which is favored by the city. “We like the bridge and would like its appearance to change in this direction,” noted Holpuch. The city hall, in agreement with the Morava River Basin Authority, will have the project documentation revised and will request a change to the building permit.
    Designing the bridge was not easy, as the architect had to meet strict parameters for flood protection and load-bearing capacity, as well as the demands of heritage conservationists. The construction of the bridge cannot use an upper suspended load-bearing structure or piers that would encroach into the riverbed.
    “We started from how the bridge in this location was designed in the 19th century. The latest design carries a reference to this historical solution,” pointed out Novák, who believes the steel load-bearing structure in the middle of the planned bridge body is primarily a reminiscence of the historic bridge.
    The original design of the bridge was criticized by the Olomouc Architects Club (KAO). “The bridge on Masaryk Boulevard, where the load-bearing reinforced concrete ribs significantly protrude above the surface of the roadway, evokes more of a highway thoroughfare than a representative city boulevard,” stated KAO in its commentary.
    The new building permit will delay the preparation of the bridge construction by four to six months. “Minister of Agriculture Marian Jurečka assured us that this delay should not jeopardize the flood protection measures, which are set to begin implementation next year,” added Holpuch.