The repair of the Barrandov Bridge is approaching. It will take years, collapse is expected
The planned major reconstruction of the Barrandov Bridge in Prague will cripple traffic in half a year. In the spring, due to the repair of the upper part of the busiest bridge in Prague, some lanes will close, and restrictions for motorists will last for several years.
Repairs to the lower part of the Barrandov Bridge are coming to an end, and are scheduled for completion by the end of November. However, the upper part of the bridge is in a worse condition and the Prague management plans to gradually repair it.
“The start is expected in the first half of 2022 and the works will be divided into individual stages,” said Barbora Lišková, spokeswoman for the Technical Administration of Communications (TSK).
Work will be done during operation, at least two lanes in both directions and a turning lane should always remain passable. “The expected time schedule is spread over a period of four years,” Lišková continued.
Who will do the demanding reconstruction of the road and other upper parts of the bridge and when, but it is not yet clear.
“We are now in the phase of preparing documentation for the competition for the contractor, which should be announced in October,” Lišková assumes.
The road across the Barrandov Bridge is one of the busiest in Prague and in the whole country, with over 140,000 vehicles passing there every day. “As for the condition of the bridge, it corresponds to how much money is invested in the infrastructure,” said Michal Drahorád, an expert on bridge construction from the Czech Chambers of Authorized Engineers and Technicians (ČKAIT).
Not much money was spent on maintenance and repairs of the bridge built in the 1980s, now, according to the Prague management, the reconstruction will swallow over 600 million crowns.
“Money is distributed in some way, it’s a political thing. We could, of course, distribute it better,” Drahorad added.
Experts predict that repairs to the upper part of the bridge will cause traffic collapse and convoys throughout Prague, although most will be partially passable. His full detour does not exist.
drz, TN.cz