Prague residents can help choose the design of city's new railway bridge

Prague residents are being invited to help shape the design of one of the city’s upcoming railway infrastructure projects, with a new public vote now open for the planned Libeňský přesmyk. The project, which will separate busy train routes in Libeň, is intended to improve rail traffic flow between central Prague and eastern districts.

For locals in Prague 9 and surrounding neighborhoods, the proposal goes beyond railway efficiency. The current plans also include ideas for how the space beneath the new overpass could be used, giving residents a say in whether the area becomes a park, sports zone, or community space.

The vote opens as part of a wider planning process led by the Czech Railway Administration, which has already held public meetings and presented early designs to residents. Voting is open until the end of June.

The Libeňský přesmyk is part of a broader modernization of the railway line between Libeň and Malešice. At present, passenger and freight trains share a key intersection, forcing them to wait for one another and reducing capacity on one of the busiest rail corridors in Czechia.

The planned overpass will remove this bottleneck by separating the routes at different levels, allowing trains to pass through independently without delays.

According to the Czech Railway Administration, this should significantly improve traffic flow for both passenger and freight transport. The project is considered a key priority for improving rail capacity in Prague.

The new double-track connection will link Libeň with Malešice and reconnect with existing infrastructure near Českobrodská Street. Construction is currently in the planning phase, with building works expected to begin in the early 2030s.

The public survey is not limited to technical design. Residents can also influence how the space beneath the overpass will be used.

Options include an amphitheatre with a café, modern playgrounds, and sports facilities designed for activities such as parkour, skateboarding, and ball games. The aim is to turn the area into a usable public space rather than purely transport infrastructure.

The Czech Railway Administration says the public’s input will be an important factor in final design decisions. The authority has also been holding long-term consultations with local communities and says their feedback has already been incorporated into earlier planning stages.

A presentation of the design options is also planned at Prague 9’s town hall, where residents can learn more about the project before voting closes at the end of June.

The new bridge is expected to improve reliability across one of the Czech Republic’s most heavily used rail corridors, which connects Prague with Kolín and serves both regional commuter and freight traffic.

By removing at-grade crossings, the project should reduce delays and increase capacity for both local and long-distance trains.

If approved and completed as planned, the Libeňský přesmyk will mark a significant upgrade to Prague’s rail infrastructure while also introducing new public space shaped directly by local residents.