Prague will build an underpass under the constructed section of the Libeň Bridge near Palmovka

Prague - Prague will construct a new underpass beneath the section of the Libeň Bridge being built near Palmovka, which will connect to Vojenova Street. The city council approved the preliminary study and instructed the Road and Motorway Directorate (TSK) to ensure the construction today. TSK began building the section of the bridge that was demolished last year in May, beneath which the underpass will run. At the same time, it faces an intervention from the Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) in the bridge reconstruction project, which has been significantly altered compared to the original plans.

The city commissioned a feasibility study for the underpass, aimed at improving pedestrian access to Palmovka, which estimates the cost of construction to be about 50 million crowns, and an additional 25 million for the relocation of utility networks. However, the exact costs will only be determined through a more detailed project preparation. The work is to be included in the overall reconstruction and modification project of the Libeň bridge complex.

Recently, this project has encountered problems as ÚOHS allowed continuation only on those works that correspond to the originally awarded project. The city company selected the construction contractor before the updated study was created, which shows several changes from the original concept. The most significant change is that instead of reconstructing the historical bridge over the Vltava, the plan is to replace it with a replica on the original piers.

Due to the extensive changes, ÚOHS sided with the company Eurovia in the repeated proceedings and determined that the city company can only adhere to the original proposal when awarding the work. According to earlier statements from TSK representatives, the currently executed parts of the work are in accordance with the original project.

City councilor Zdeněk Kovářík (ODS) stated today that the council has requested a summary of the changes that have occurred between the versions of the project from TSK and the transportation department of the municipality, as well as their implications for the work schedule. "It is evident that we will have to re-tender some things," he said, adding that the costs will also be significantly higher.

Opposition councilor and head of Prague's ANO Ondřej Prokop criticized the situation around the bridge today. "It is absurd that the city continues to plan a project within a process that ÚOHS has deemed unlawful. Does Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) really want to pretend that nothing is happening? We have repeatedly pointed out the violations of the original contract conditions for the reconstruction," he stated.

The contract for the bridge reconstruction was awarded by TSK to the company Metrostav TBR based on a tender at the beginning of 2022, with the first works starting in September of the same year. Last year, workers demolished the so-called flood bridge towards Palmovka, and construction of the new one began in May of this year. TSK representatives also previously mentioned that they plan to issue a new tender for the demolition and creation of a replica of the bridge over the Vltava.

The Libeň Bridge is a complex consisting of six bridges. It was created according to the design of architect Pavel Janák in 1928 and has never been repaired. During the tenure of Prague's mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) from 2014 to 2018, plans were made to demolish the bridge and replace it with a new structure, but her successors decided to repair it during the previous election period. The decision to create a replica on the original piers was then made based on the static model at the end of 2023, with the tightening of European legislation concerning the collapse of the bridge in Genoa, Italy, playing a role according to TSK's statements at the time.