PHOTO GALLERY: A first look at Prague's planned Libeň-Holešovice bridge

The City of Prague has announced plans to redevelop a bridge that connects the Prague district of Libeň with the eastern part of Prague 7’s Holešovice, which will see much of the near-century-old structure replaced with a replica design.

The bridge dates back to 1928, has never been extensively repaired, and has been in poor technical condition for a long period of time, the municipality says. To cope with the increased load of traffic going over the bridge every day, the city will therefore reinforce the foundational parts of the bridge. For added safety, Prague will also add flood-protection measures to the bridge.

The main architect in charge of the project Petr Teje will also retain the bridge’s cubist elements to ensure its visual style is retained, although the new bridge will get a cleaner look. 

The bridge’s reconstruction is part of wider goals to develop the surrounding area. “We will also transform the immediate surroundings of the Libeň bridge, which will attract the people of Prague not only with its beauty, but also with new places to relax and spend free time,” said Prague Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib. The beginning parts of the bridge will have under them cafes, shops, and other services, the City of Prague says.

The city also wants to create a new quarter (or small square) near the bridge and convert the area’s former town hall into the headquarters of the European Space Research Agency. Prague hopes this will occur in the second half of this decade.

Construction of the bridge is set to begin in 2025 and cost upwards of CZK 2 billion. CEO of the Czech Technical Administration of Communications (TSK) says that the project “will be one of the most complex construction works in the history of TSK.”

This “is not just a repair of the bridge itself…but a comprehensive reconstruction of the entire stretch from Maniny to Palmovka spanning a length of 1,200 meters,” noted Hřib. This means that parts of the roads that connect to the main bridge will also be repaired.