Prague presents new visualizations of Metro D stations

The look of Prague's long-planned Metro D line is becoming clearer, and preliminary excavation has started

Raymond Johnston

Written by Raymond Johnston Published on 29.01.2020 11:00:15 (updated on 29.01.2020) Reading time: 3 minutes

The Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) presented new visualizations for some stations on the Metro D line, which should go into operation something in 2027.

The proposals for the Pankrác, Olbrachtova, Nádraží Krč, and Nemocnice Krč stations were presented by Prague Deputy Mayors Adam Scheinherr (Praha Sobě) and Petr Hlaváček (United Force for Prague) along with representatives of the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP). They also said that the vestibule of the Depo Pisnice station will extend into the Central Bohemia region.

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Visualization of an entrance to the Olbrachtova station. via Metroprojekt Praha

Scheinherr said the metro exits are in many cases designed is such a way that they can be integrated into buildings that could be built there in the future. Some entrances to the metro do not have a roof covering the stairs. On Facebook, IPR said this was common, even in the city center, and shelters over the steps do not keep out the rain.

The new design of the surroundings of the Nádraží Krč station include a walk-in vestibule, and it is part of a public space. The size and location of the water surface has also changed. The design includes over 500 parking spaces.

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Visualization of the interior of the Olbrachtova station. via Metroprojekt Praha

The city previously released concept sketches for the interior design of the stations. The Pankrác station will be by Jakub Nepraš and Olbrachtova by Vladimír Kokolia. They cooperated with the designers of the respective stations.

Deputy Mayor Scheinherr said the intention is to make traveling in the new metro line really pleasant for Praguers. “Prague’s oldest metro stations have architectural and artistic value, featuring works of art such as mosaics, sculptures and glass. In the past, subway stations were built as a city showcase; from the stations you can sense the architect and artist,” he said when the interior designs were announced.

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Visualization of the interior of the view from Nemocnice Krč. via Metroprojekt Praha

The DPP also announced a construction contract between Pankrac and Olbrachtova. The construction should take seven-and-a-half years and will cost 10.8 billion CZK.

The train, as previously announced, will be driverless. the Metro D line when finished will have 10 stations and link the Metro A anc C lines to the southern past of the city, which currently lacks good transit links.

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Visualization of the interior of the area around Nádraží Krč. via Metroprojekt Praha

The overall structure of the stations was designed in 2009, and building permits were issued based on those.

There was a petition in 2016 to change the approved designs for the stations from Pankrác to Písnice because the designs are already outdated, and do not reflect current trends in mass transit.

Even at the time they were made, they used ideas from the 1990s and not the 2000s, according to the petitioners. The stations were designed in 2009 by eight architects working for the construction firm Metroprojekt Praha.

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Visualization of an entrance to the Olbrachtova station on Metro D. via Metroprojekt Praha

The city administration at the time largely rejected the petition as any significant changes would require the permit process to start over again, which could add years of further delays. Only cosmetic changes are possible. New designs for some stations were announced in July 2019.

Design changes can still be made to the planned Náměstí Míru and Náměstí Bratří Synků stations, as they do not yet have their final permits.

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Visualization of the interior of the Pankrác station. via Metroprojekt Praha

Construction on the Metro D line was originally was set to begin in 2010, and that was moved to 2012, but again did not happen. One of the major stumbling blocks was that the city needed to acquire several parcels of land for the stations. The last issues with landowners were resolved in March 2019.

The project finally began to move forward with a geological survey of the route starting in June 2019. the survey has already made several shafts that will in the future be part of the metro tunnels. The shaft in Pankrác is currently 36 meters deep and 21 meters wide. A 34-ton excavator is being used. Progress in tunneling is up to one meter a day, depending on geological conditions.

According to City Hall, the first section of Metro D between Pankrác to Nové Dvory, should be put into operation by the end of 2027.

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Visualization of the interior of the Pankrác station. via Metroprojekt Praha

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