Praha selected the design for the bridge over the Vltava River between Prague 4 and Prague 5

Seven proposals advanced to the second round of the architectural competition, from which the commission selected the one developed by the studios Tubes and Atelier 6 as the best at the end of last week. The design refers to cubism and does not have any construction above the roadway, thus blending organically into the Vltava valley. According to Deputy Dolínek, the magistrate will commission the winning studios to develop complete project documentation based on the proposal by the end of November.

The main purpose of the construction is to improve transport connections between both banks of the Vltava. "We need to create parallel transport connections that allow us to transport people away from the congested sections in the center," said Dolínek. He added that the planned construction at the former Smíchov freight station also plays a role.

The bridge will be designated for trams, pedestrians, and cyclists; according to the deputy, it would also be possible to allow public transport buses to pass through. Automobile traffic will not be allowed on it. It is planned that firefighters or ambulance services will be able to access the bridge.

The eastern exit of the bridge will be located near the Žluté lázně north of Jeremenková Street, while the western exit will be close to the tram stop Lihovar. The project includes a proposal for a new tram stop Dvorecký most. The estimated cost includes both abutments and other supplementary technical and transport constructions.

The last bridge built in Prague over the Vltava, the Troja Bridge, was opened in October 2014. It was constructed as part of the Blanka tunnel complex and replaced the Troja tram bridge from 1981, nicknamed "the noise maker," whose operation was ceremoniously concluded on October 7, 2013, with a ride of a museum tram. Last December, a pedestrian bridge between Císařský island and Troja collapsed. Many other bridges in Prague are in poor condition, and the city is preparing their repairs while also planning the construction of several new bridges and footbridges.