Dozens of Prague's bridges are in poor technical condition

Prague - Dozens of Prague's bridges and footbridges are in poor technical condition and are in need of repair. This follows from the material presented by the Director of the Technical Administration of Communications (TSK), Luděk Dostál, at the last meeting of the Transport Committee. However, the city does not have enough money for repairs. For a long time, the Libeňský and Hlávkův bridges have been in poor condition, as well as the Cable Bridge on the South Connection; repairs are also needed for the Nuselský Bridge and the footbridge in Troja.
    "Something needs to be done about the condition of the bridges," Dostál told Prague representatives at the Transport Committee. According to him, there is no threat of collapse or closure for the bridges, but due to their poor condition, traffic might be restricted on some of them.
    The technical condition of the bridges is assessed on a scale from one to seven, according to TSK's material available to ČTK. One means excellent condition, seven means emergency condition. For example, TSK rated part of the Libeňský Bridge a six, which means very poor technical condition, which has been awaiting a major repair since the floods in 2002. Even after urgent restoration in 2009, tram traffic is limited on the bridge. "It is prohibited for trams to pass each other," Dostál stated at the committee meeting. According to him, the newest Prague trams cannot operate on the bridge due to their high weight.
    The popular footbridge and cycling bridge, which connects Císařský Island with Troja, is also in a similar situation. According to TSK, the footbridge has many defects that affect the statics of the supporting structure. Even with some necessary repairs this year, the lifespan of the footbridge is estimated to be only five to seven years.
    Technically, the Hlávkův, Nuselský, and Cable bridges are in somewhat better condition; however, they are subjected to much more traffic daily, and their closure would have a significant impact on traffic in the metropolis, unlike the Libeňský Bridge.
    The condition of the useful plates under the tram line and roadway on the Hlávkův bridge, which is actually a combination of two bridges, is particularly poor. "There is a risk that a malfunction could occur that would exclude tram traffic and restrict automobile traffic," Dostál warned.
    This year, the Nuselský Bridge will undergo repairs on the expansion joints through which water from melting snow seeped into the bridge in December, halting metro operation for several hours. According to TSK, the joints are already beyond their lifespan. In the coming years, however, the external shell, the lower part of the structure, and the roadway, which is also at the end of its lifespan, will also need to be reconstructed according to TSK's material.
    The Cable Bridge on the South Connection had to be partially reconstructed at the turn of 2008 and 2009 due to serious defects that emerged, one of the beams sagging by several centimeters. However, its technical condition is still poor.
    However, Prague does not have the money for bridge repairs; this year it's also cutting back on ongoing projects, such as the Blanka tunnel complex. According to Dostál, the city should budget some amount for bridge restoration each year in the coming years. For some reconstructions, TSK has developed project documentation and obtained building permits. "We are at risk of losing our building permits," Dostál added.


    Overview of the technical condition of selected Prague bridges:

    1) bridges over the Vltava and bridges longer than 100 meters

bridge	technical condition
footbridge in Troja	very poor
Libeňský Bridge	poor to very poor
Hlávkův Bridge	satisfactory to poor
Legion Bridge	poor
Palacký Bridge	poor
Nuselský Bridge	satisfactory
Cable Bridge on the South Connection	poor
bridge on Valčíkova Street (over V Holešovičkách Street)	poor
footbridge on the Braník railway bridge	poor

    2) bridges shorter than 100 meters

bridge	technical condition
bridge before the village of Pitkovice	emergency
bridge on Čelákovická Street	emergency
bridge in Nuselská Street	very poor
bridge U Michelského lesa	very poor
bridge on Bělehradská Street	very poor
bridge on Korunovační Street	very poor