All against Sudop. Prague will find out what the railway will look like on its territory
For many years, there has been talk of the so-called New Connection II, ie the transfer of suburban trains underground
By signing the contract, the Railway Administration completed a one-year tender for the preparation of a feasibility study for the Prague railway junction. The study aims to answer the basic question of what solutions are suitable for increasing the capacity of the Prague Railways.
The competition can be described with exaggeration as “everyone against Sudop”. The contract was won by the association of companies Mott MacDonald CZ, Afry, Ekola, Sagasta and SMA with a basic price of 34,982 million crowns. The estimated value was 40 million crowns in the basic performance and 52 million crowns is an option. The second participant was the association around Sudop Prague. The decision on the winner was made at the end of October, but Sudop objected to it. “His objections were rejected as unfounded, which the complainant respected after making this argument.” added Nela Friebová, spokeswoman for the Railway Administration. The contract with the winner was signed on December 11.
The market consultation for the contract took place last autumn, with eight interested parties already taking part. In the end, the railway workers decided to use the Best Value Approach / Best Value Procurement method, which is still rather rare in the Czech Republic. In addition to the price, it puts the quality of performance at the forefront.
The study is crucial for the future of the Prague Railways. Answer the question of whether it exists “Transport, technically, economically and environmentally friendly solutions” to increase the capacity of the Prague Railways. And what they are.
For many years, there has been talk of the so-called New Connection II. The last time in September three years ago, dusted the city and transport organizer Ropid, when they exaggerated the Karlovo náměstí metro station as the S suburban train station.
The plan for New Connection II is underway to move city and suburban trains underground and connect them with the metro. The connection of the metro with the trains in the transfer stations gave the project the second name Metro S. The tunnels would be from Smíchov to Karlín and from Nusle to Bubny. The central station would then be the newly built Opera House near the Central Station and the Museum. However, other new stations would be created, such as Karlovo náměstí, Florenc and Bratří Synků. High-speed trains would then run on the surface.
The opposite solution was advocated by the Chamber of Commerce, which wanted to build VRT underground and leave suburban trains on the surface. HK Chairman Emanuel Šíp has long advocated the connection of Prague Airport to the high-speed network. However, the railway administration questions the chamber’s proposals, pointing to the high costs.
The best solution is to be the forthcoming feasibility study of the Prague Railway Junction (ŽUP). Its processing takes about two years, but the first results should have been available sooner. It will also address the mouth of the VRT in Prague.
95 comments