PHOTO GALLERY: Explore below metro D, a year after the start of construction

The first year of construction on metro line D led to the excavation of a total of 1.6 kilometers of tunnels, Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) announced. The first 520 meters of tunnels were created during the geological survey, while an additional kilometer, or to be more precise 1,082 meters, was the work of contractors, which consist of a consortium of the companies Subterra, Hochtief, and Strabag.

The excavation works on the first section of line D will take place for less than three years, roughly until the turn of 2025 and 2026. DPP expects to start construction of the second section from Olbrachtova station to Nové Dvory this autumn.

Construction on the first section of the line, between the stations Pankrác and Olbrachtova, started in the spring of 2022. DPP invested almost CZK 1.8 billion in works for line D up until this point.

When finished, the metro line D will extend from Náměstí Míru to Depo Písnice in the south of the city. It will intersect with the existing metro A and metro C lines, as well as with commuter trains at Nádraží Krč. The metro D line will use automated driverless trains.

Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda called works on line D "not only one of the priorities of the new management of the Prague City Hall but without a doubt the biggest transport project in the metropolis this decade."

Petr Witowski, board chairman and CEO of DPP, said that construction is at about "half the length, but about a quarter of the volume of the excavations of the first section of metro D." He added that future plans include the conclusion of the public contract for the construction of the second section from Olbrachtova station to Nové Dvory "as soon as possible."

Prague Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib, responsible for transport and chairman of the DPP supervisory board, also highlighted the metro line D's importance, adding that, "if everything goes as it should, the first passengers will ride in autonomous cars without drivers at the end of 2029." Hřib added that it was "a great honor" for him to support the project and see the start of construction works during his term as mayor.