Prague and DPP offered developers collaboration on the construction of metro line D

Prague - Prague, along with the public transport company (DPP), has offered developers collaboration on the construction of metro line D from Pankrác to Písnice. They will select a partner with whom they will establish a joint venture. DPP aims to find a partner by June 30 of this year. This was stated to journalists today by DPP's General Director Martin Gillar. The joint venture with private companies is intended to assist in the development of the areas around the stations and in the acquisition of problematic land. Metro D is expected to alleviate the overloaded line C and connect the center with residential areas in the south of the city.

"We informed them (the developers) that we are ready to negotiate the establishment of a company that would purchase the necessary land. We presented our intention and will wait to see if anyone applies and shows interest," said Gillar.

The establishment of a new joint venture with a developer aims to facilitate the acquisition of missing land. The company will not be bound by regulations that prohibit the city and DPP from purchasing land for a price higher than the estimated value. If established, it will handle all planned stations - they will not be divided among different developers.

Most of the shares in the joint venture would be held by developers. The land would be owned by the company, and DPP will have contracts in place from the start to avoid disputes that could potentially lead to station closures. During construction, the transport company will manage everything underground, while the new firm with developers will handle everything above the exits.

Developers were also presented with a division of the metro construction into three parts. The first is the surface part, including exits, pedestrian paths, or bus terminals. The second consists of tunnels, technology, and security systems, and the last part includes the trains that will run on the line.

The selection of a partner from among the developers will occur through what's called a market consultation; it will not be a classic tender.

The first phase of construction for metro D between Pankrác and Nové Dvory could start in 2019 and be completed by 2023, said the mayor's deputy Petr Dolínek on Monday. Prague plans to begin geological surveys in September 2018. A competition to find a company to conduct the survey should be announced this November. The city has also prepared a construction schedule and divided it into phases.

Metro D will connect the center with the southern part of the city. Construction will first begin on the section from Pankrác to Písnice. In the next phase, the remaining two stations, Náměstí Bratří Synků and Náměstí Míru, will be constructed. According to estimates, Metro D will cost around 50 billion crowns. Automated driverless trains will operate on it. The recently opened stations of metro line A to Motol cost nearly 20 billion crowns.