Prague to replace the 90-year-old Liben Bridge

The Czech capital Prague will replace the deteriorating 90-year-old Liben Bridge at a cost of more than €20 million. The 370m-long bridge over the River Vlatava connects the city quarters of Holešovice and Libeň. It was closed to traffic for several weeks earlier this year for emergency but temporary repairs, according to Prague media. Replacement will include a similarly long bridge plus 400m of roads on either bank of the river but be built on the existing bridge piers. Like the old bridge , it will
May 8, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The Czech capital Prague will replace the deteriorating 90-year-old Liben Bridge at a cost of more than €20 million.

The 370m-long bridge over the River Vlatava connects the city quarters of Holešovice and Libeň. It was closed to traffic for several weeks earlier this year for emergency but temporary repairs, according to Prague media.

Replacement will include a similarly long bridge plus 400m of roads on either bank of the river but be built on the existing bridge piers. Like the old bridge , it will have tram lines as well as bike lanes.

The old Liben Bridge is 21m wide and has five arches with spans between 28-43m. It replaced a temporary wooden bridge when it was opened in 1928 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the existence of Czechoslovakia.

Deputy mayor Petr Dolinek has said that the contract for the new bridge would be a fixed price deal to avoid the cost rises.

But demolition of the old bridge, however, is proving controversial among environmentalists, historians, many city councillors and the local population because of its cultural significance.

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Efficient milling and re-paving on historic Florence streets
    February 1, 2013
    Maintenance of roads in historic districts is a challenge for communities around the world. The sanctity of the surroundings limits the amount of re-engineering and widening that can be considered. Improvement options typically are limited to repairs. Yet repairs also have an impact. The historic areas usually attract tourists and their crucial economic contributions. If the street repairs create too much of an inconvenience, tourists are likely to avoid the area and a negative economic impact and a loss of
    Read More
  • A history lesson in private public partnerships
    April 12, 2012
    Michel Démarre gives some historical insights into public-private partnerships conceived to implement urban infrastructure projects, a concept that surprisingly dates back to as early as the 13th century! All over the world today, the role of public authorities in the process of planning and, in most cases, designing, financing and procuring urban roads is paramount. Even for modifications to existing roads, decisions are made by these public authorities (usually after due consultation with the population)
    Read More
  • Controversial Russian bridge opens
    May 16, 2018
    The first stage of a controversial Russian bridge project is now complete, with the link opening to use by cars. The Kerch Strait bridge spans the Black Sea, connecting Russia’s Taman Peninsula in Krasnodar with Crimea, the latter having been controversially annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. The official opening of the 19km-long bridge was carried out by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, who drove across the link in a Kamaz truck to reach the city of Kerch. The US$2.7 billion bridge forms part of
    Read More
  • Turkey’s important new tunnel will improve transport links
    May 18, 2016
    Major advances in tunnelling will allow cars to travel underneath the Bosphorus sea channel in Turkey's Istanbul next year when its third road link is opened, writes Adrian Greeman. The Bosphorus is redolent with history and strategic significance. As one of the world's most significant sea connections, linking the landlocked Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and the Mediterranean beyond, it has been vitally important for trade and crucial for military access. It is also one of the biggest obstacles for land tra
    Read More

Highlighted Content