In Děčín, a footbridge over the Elbe for pedestrians and cyclists is finished, but it is not accessible yet

Děčín - A footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the Elbe in Děčín is completed. It is suspended on the railway bridge. It will be accessible to the public after the building authority issues a permit for early use. The total costs of one of the largest investments in the city in recent years amount to approximately 108 million crowns, of which 43 million were covered by a grant. This was reported today by the spokesperson of the city hall, Luděk Stínil.

The construction is key for the city in terms of infrastructure development. "I believe that the footbridge will become a natural part of everyday routes and a popular stopping place. The new connection between both banks of the Elbe will significantly improve pedestrian movement and support the possibility of cycling in the city center. We expect that thanks to the new route, the number of cyclists on Tyršův Bridge and Labské Embankment will decrease, which will contribute to the calming of traffic,” said Deputy Mayor Ondřej Smíšek (Our Děčín)

Only a few minor works remain to be completed. Planting will take place in the autumn. Load tests conducted a few weeks ago confirmed that the structure meets all safety requirements.

The route will offer a safer and calmer environment and a new view of the castle, the Elbe Canyon, Tyršův Bridge, and Pastýřská Wall. "The new path will also positively influence faster transfers between both city centers, thereby opening up more space for the development of small businesses,” Smíšek stated.

The idea of suspending the footbridge on the railway bridge emerged after the floods in 2002. During the bridge's repair in 2014, anchoring points for the future structure were created. Thus, the construction naturally fitted into the existing structure. In 2018, an architectural competition followed, which was won by the team of Prague architects Alexandra Kotačky, Lukáš Vráblík, and Eva Pyková. After obtaining a grant, construction lasting more than a year began, during which the beams were gradually hung on the railway bridge, and connections with the surrounding infrastructure were established. Additionally, the footbridge can assist if it becomes necessary to close Tyršův Bridge for repairs, Stínil noted.

The construction also required several temporary restrictions, for example, at Mariánská Meadow or in the parking lot at the viaduct on Práce Street, where access to the footbridge was created. Moreover, it was necessary to build a new connection to the road, a sidewalk, and adjust the parking lot. Currently, experts are developing a study that will describe the possibilities of connecting the footbridge and the Elbe Trail towards Germany. The route is expected to run along the river under the Labské Embankment.