Prague will announce a contract for the reconstruction of the Libeň Bridge in the summer

Prague – Prague conducted another load test of the Libeň Bridge over the weekend, this time related to the so-called flooding bridge on the bank. It serves as a flood protection, and water flows under its arches during floods. As Deputy Mayor for Transport Adam Scheinherr (Praha Sobě) told ČTK today, the tests went well and nothing prevents the city from announcing a tender for the reconstruction of the viaduct.

"From the preliminary results during the load test, we can say that the bridge is in excellent condition. At the turn of August and September, we would like to announce a public contract for its sensitive reconstruction," Scheinherr stated. The load tests of the main bridge over the Vltava were conducted by the city in March.

According to Scheinherr, the positive result of the test was clear as early as Saturday morning. "I anxiously monitored the measurements all night as the single arch was gradually loaded with up to 400 tons... After 92 years without any reconstruction, its structure behaves essentially as it did on the day it opened," he noted on Saturday morning after the tests on his Facebook profile.

The Libeň Bridge, built in 1928, which consists of the bridge over the river and the aforementioned flooding bridge, is overall in poor condition. In the past, there were disputes about whether to repair it or demolish it and build a new one. Scheinherr was involved in protests against its demolition before entering politics. The current coalition has decided that the bridge will be repaired.

The Technical Administration of Communications (TSK), which also looks after Prague's bridges, has already announced one tender for the repair project of the viaduct. However, it was canceled last September on the grounds that only one applicant had applied, who did not meet the tender requirements. A new tender is now planned, which will cover both the project and the actual construction. The reconstruction is expected to last from September 2022 to April 2025 and will cost an estimated 560 million crowns.