The construction of the new footbridge in Přerov is complicated by the protective zone

Prerov - The planned construction of a new footbridge in Prerov connecting the banks of the Bečva River near the tennis courts is complicated by the protective zone in which the bridge stands. The regional office has ordered the city that construction work must take place outside the March to July period. The city wants to demolish the bridge, which was severely damaged by floods in 1997 and 2010, by the end of this year. At the same time, the exemption that engineers granted for its use will also expire. Despite complications with environmental protection, the city aims to build the footbridge by the end of next year.
    "We already have the project documentation and have taken preparatory steps to proceed with the construction. Everything is complicated by the fact that this is a bridge over the Bečva River, which also involves the watershed and environmentalists," said Deputy Mayor Josef Kulíšek (ODS) to reporters today.
    According to city hall spokesperson Lenka Chalupová, the regional office has prohibited the city hall from undertaking construction work in this area from March to July. Therefore, the city plans to demolish the footbridge at the end of the year and construct it during the permitted months. "For builders, the months designated by the regional office are the best for construction. The region explains this restriction due to the protective zone near the Žebračka reserve, not far from where the footbridge is located," added Deputy Michal Zácha (ODS).
    The city has previously stated that the new footbridge will cost more than 25 million crowns. The city wants to adhere to the demolition deadline; the current bridge is bent, and the permission for its use will expire this year. "The engineers would close the bridge at the end of the year anyway and would not allow its use. The exemption was for three years, which expires this year," Kulíšek added.
    The variant of the footbridge that ensures connection with the recreational area of the local lagoons was chosen by the Prerov council last autumn. They decided on a bridge that will be safer in the event of flooding. The suspended footbridge will have a reserve above the river current increased to 1.6 meters. The bridge should withstand a hundred-year flood, have a lifespan of one hundred years, will not interfere with the area of the natural monument Malá laguna, and will also allow a free corridor for safe passage of birds. It will also permit emergency vehicle access.
    Prerov residents will thus be looking forward to a second new bridge in succession. Last May, a new Tyrš Bridge was opened near the city center. This bridge also replaced a footbridge that was in poor condition. The bridge, which was designed by academic sculptor Alena Šrámková, is now receiving recognition among experts.