<UOHS> prohibited <TSK> from repairing the <Libeň Bridge> according to the revised proposal

Prague/Brno - The Prague Technical Administration of Communications (TSK) can continue the reconstruction of the Libeň Bridge only to the extent of the work that corresponds to the originally tendered form of the project, and not the later revised study involving the replacement of the bridge over the Vltava. This follows from a decision by the antitrust office (ÚOHS), which CTK has at its disposal. TSK can file an appeal against it within 15 days. The spokesperson for the municipal company, Barbora Lišková, told CTK that the company must familiarize itself with the decision and will comment on it in the coming days.

TSK awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the bridge before the updated study was created, which shows a number of changes compared to the original intention. The biggest change is that instead of reconstructing the historic bridge over the Vltava, it plans to replace it with a replica on the original pillars. Due to the extensive changes, ÚOHS in a repeated procedure sided with the company Eurovia and decided that the municipal company can only adhere to the original proposal when awarding work. According to previous statements by TSK representatives, the currently carried out parts of the work are in accordance with the original project.

"The office granted the proposal for a ban on the fulfillment of the contract because there were substantial changes to the contract. While the competition anticipated the reconstruction of the bridge, the new conditions allow for the construction of an entirely new bridge," spokesperson for ÚOHS Martin Švanda told CTK.

In light of the extensive changes, ÚOHS found that the municipal company effectively assigned a new contract without announcing a new procurement process. The office had already dealt with the case at the urging of Eurovia twice in the past and ruled in favor of TSK, subsequently always returning the decision to the head of the office, Petr Mlsna.

TSK assigned the contract based on a tender to the company Metrostav TBR at the beginning of 2022, and the first works began in September of the same year. Last year, workers demolished the so-called flood bridge towards Palmovka, and in May of this year, the construction of the new one began. TSK representatives also previously stated that they plan to announce a new tender for the demolition and construction of a replica of the bridge over the Vltava.

The Libeň Bridge is a structure consisting of six bridges. It was created according to the design of architect Pavel Janák in 1928 and has never been repaired. During the leadership of Prague under Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) from 2014 to 2018, there was a plan to demolish the bridge and replace it with a new structure, but her successors decided to repair it in the previous election period. The decision to create a replica on the original pillars was made at the end of 2023 based on static tests, and according to TSK's previous statements, the tightening of European legislation in connection with the bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy, also played a role.