Prague will incorporate the metro into the zoning plan for Žižkov and Vysočany

Prague - The capital city will include the extension of metro line D to Žižkov and further to Vysočany in both the current and the upcoming new zoning plan. This was decided by the city council today. The current zoning plan designates the metro for Žižkov and Vysočany only as a land reserve, while the draft of the new Metropolitan Plan terminates line D in the center at Republic Square. Further extension is not part of the existing project for the new line, which is currently planned to lead from Písnice to Peace Square. The change approved today is supposed to allow for land purchases for future extensions.

The approved document mandates the city Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) to change the reserve into a binding proposal in the plan, which will allow the city hall to begin purchasing the necessary land. At the same time, the IPR has been tasked with preparing comments regarding the current draft of the Metropolitan Plan in the same spirit, which routes line D from Vinohrady to Republic Square. In the past, the IPR conducted an analysis, which indicated that this route is more suitable. The Metropolitan Plan is set to take effect in 2023.

According to the chair of the transport committee Matěj Stropnický (Green Party/Trojkoalice), who is also a councilor for Prague 3, Žižkov is the only inner city district without a metro stop. However, in the upper part of Žižkov on the border with Vinohrady, there are stops at Želivského, Flora, and Jiřího z Poděbrad. According to councilor and deputy mayor of Prague 3 Alexander Bellu (ODS), the future extension of the metro through Prokopovo or Basilejské Square to Jarov is necessary, especially for serving the lower part of Žižkov and the planned new construction expected in the area of the Žižkov Freight Station.

Metro D will connect the center with the southern part of the city. The first section to be constructed will be from Depo Písnice to Pankrác, followed by the phase from Pankrác to Peace Square. Projectors estimate the costs to be approximately 50 billion crowns. Prague intends to draw on subsidies from European funds for the construction. The DPP is currently addressing the land acquisition between Pankrác and Písnice, and geological surveys for construction are expected to start this year. Driverless trains are planned to operate on the new line.