Brno seeks contractor for the first phase of the renovation of the underpass beneath the main railway station

Brno – Brno is seeking a contractor for the first phase of the renovation of the pedestrian underpass beneath the city's main railway station. City councillors approved the launch of the tender process at their Wednesday meeting, the city hall announced in a press release. The work includes replacing the flooring, wall and ceiling finishes, and installing a new wayfinding system. The project, estimated to cost around CZK 82.6 million, is expected to begin next year.

In past surveys, many Brno residents have described the underpass beneath the station and the area in front of it as among the city's ugliest public spaces. The renovation has been planned for several years.

"The underpass is built as a monolithic reinforced concrete structure. The renovation will include repairs to the floors and wall and ceiling cladding, as well as the installation of new doors, stairs, lights, emergency lighting and railings. The ventilation system and fire alarm system will also be replaced, and an illuminated multimedia wall will be added to display up-to-date information," said Mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS).

A platform lift will also be installed next to the main staircase. "The renovation is planned to take place while the underpass remains open, with at least half its width always available for pedestrians. The precise construction logistics plan will be approved as part of the tender process for the contractor," Klára Opálková of the city hall's press office told the Czech News Agency (ČTK).

Sales stalls in the underpass were removed ahead of the planned repairs. A lease agreement with Czech Railways also needed to be resolved, Opálková said. A study for the second phase of the project is also being prepared. "The second phase concerns the underground areas beneath the tram tracks, with exits leading to the platforms. Since this section cannot be addressed separately from changes at street level, the second phase is being handled as part of the Benešova Street reconstruction project," Opálková added.