Pražané can submit comments on the reconstruction of Masaryk Station

Prague - Until the end of next work week, residents of Prague can submit their comments on the change of the zoning plan that will allow the reconstruction of Masaryk Station. The change is being prepared by the Prague City Hall, which is also planning a public discussion on it on Friday, March 16. According to the proposal, railway operations will remain at the station. The postal yard will not be demolished, as the Ministry of Culture opposed the removal of its heritage protection.
    According to the proposal, which the City Hall published on its website, areas no longer necessary for railway operations should be transformed. The City Hall respected the requirements of the ministries of transport and culture during the discussion of the change. Since the Ministry of Culture wanted to continue protecting the postal building, it will not be possible to expand the station's tracks at the expense of the post office on Hybernská Street. By relocating the tracks, space on the opposite side near Na Florenci Street was to be freed for new construction. The proposal thus does not account for this construction.
    The platforms are to be newly arranged, with the platforms being extended at the expense of the unused facilities on Na Florenci Street. "The goal is to ensure sufficient space for the development of suburban and urban railway transport at one of the two central railway stations in the capital," states the proposal. In Trocnovská Street, space will be preserved for the possible continuation of the New Connection, which connects several Prague stations via viaducts.
    The proposal will allow for the reconstruction of the bus station in Florenc, which could become part of the new development. A connection between Na Florenci and Pernerova streets has been proposed, and a new public space with greenery should be developed near the Museum of the City of Prague, continuing towards Vítkov. There is also consideration of a possible future connection between Na Florenci and Opletalova streets, possibly via an underpass or overpass above the station's tracks.
    The change also includes the establishment of a railway museum in the area of the former Masaryk Station depot. It should be possible to walk through the museum grounds to Vítkov.
    An environmental impact assessment was prepared for the change. According to experts, the area is overburdened by traffic on the North-South expressway; therefore, they propose that future construction be addressed simultaneously with the calming of the expressway. However, they consider the change acceptable.
    The Prague City Hall is currently preparing two more changes to the zoning plan, which should enable the transformation of Smíchov and Žižkov freight stations. In the case of the Žižkov station, the city now has to account for the fact that the Ministry of Culture declared the main building a cultural monument this week. The Smíchov station has received comments from Prague 5, on whose territory the station lies. Thus, the change concerning Masaryk Station is likely to be the closest to approval.