A new bridge has opened in Přerov near the tennis courts, costing 24 million

Přerov - A new pedestrian bridge was ceremonially opened today in Přerov near the tennis courts. Its construction was the largest investment by the city, costing 24 million crowns. The bridge replaced the existing footbridge, which was damaged by floods in 1997 and 2010. Since then, it had been used temporarily with permission from a structural engineer. Residents of the city had long awaited this new connection across the Bečva River in this area. It will allow them to walk from the city to the recreational area of the local lagoons.
    Today, the residents of Přerov did not open the bridge with a symbolic ribbon-cutting, but through a happening, during which the song "Mosty" was the first to be performed. About two hundred residents came to view the 94-meter-long and 3.5-meter-wide bridge, which is intended for pedestrians, cyclists, and rollerbladers. "I like it; it's great for biking, and I appreciate that it's lit in the evening," said one of the cyclists, Petr Michalík, to ČTK today.
    According to Mayor Vladimír Puchalský (Together for Přerov), the residents were waiting for the bridge as it will serve the people who use this space for recreation or gardening. The completion of the bridge also finalized the connection of the bike path, the main section of which, just under a kilometer long, was built last year. "Přerov was used to this footbridge; I am glad that it is open. I am personally very satisfied with its appearance. I did not expect it to be so light, airy, and architecturally fitting into the space," Puchalský told ČTK.
    The design of the new bridge was chosen by the Přerov city council a few years ago. The suspended footbridge has a clearance above the river level raised to 1.6 meters. The bridge should withstand a hundred-year flood and has a lifespan of one hundred years. It will not interfere with the space of the natural monument Malá laguna and also considers a free corridor for safe bird passage.
    The construction of the new bridge near the tennis courts was delayed for several months. The Přerov city hall managed to select a company only on the third attempt. The company Firesta-Fišer won. Due to mistakes made during the selection process, the city hall recently received a fine of 30,000 crowns from the antimonopoly office. The demolition of the bridge was not carried out in accordance with the tender conditions.
    The bridge near the tennis courts is the second one built in the city in the last three years. The Tyrš Bridge was opened in May 2012 for 120 million crowns. The face of the bridge was designed by academic sculptor Alena Šrámková. It is adorned with concrete trees and a massive bison, among other features.