The city first announced that it was introducing this measure on a trial basis for three months, but subsequently extended its duration in order to obtain data on its also non-empty operation.

According to experts from the Faculty of Transport of the Czech Technical University, the change in traffic signs has been proven within six months, which is why the experimental modification has become permanent.

“The basic goal of the current traffic measure was to reduce the level of traffic regulation at the entrances to the Municipal Ring tunnels. In other words, so that cars do not stand in front of Blanka at the red light, but can pass through the gas tunnel complex without waiting for the green light in Prague 6. According to the measurement results, this goal was clearly met, “said Adam Scheinherr, Deputy Mayor for Transport (Prague). .

At the entrance to Blanka on the Powder Bridge, for example, the red light shone for more than 55 hours in June 2020. On the other hand, after the change of markings on Pelc-Tyrolce, it was only less than 33 hours last June.

Every second, when the red light comes on and the barrier starts, columns are formed in front of the entrance, which often reach to Vítězné náměstí and thus slow down traffic on the entire Evropská třída.

The maintenance of the measures is positively assessed especially by the sixth city district, which was the initiator of these changes, as there are several entrances to Blanka, such as Malovanka or Prašný most.

“As a result, drivers do not have to stand in de facto colonies in residential areas, and transport here is not as burdensome as in the past,” says Jiří Lála (ODS), the deputy mayor of Prague 6 for transport.

“Therefore, we clearly welcome the maintenance of the newly set transport regime and perceive it as the right step towards a better traffic situation and a better quality of life for the inhabitants in the affected localities,” he adds.

The connections are slowing down for the transport company

Consent to the maintenance of the regulation made by the police or the Technical Administration of Roads. However, the Transport Company (DPP) is more reserved for this.

“We are not entirely enthusiastic about the effects of the wider transport network, but we understand this need,” says DPP.

There are several bus lines running along the Barikádníky Bridge, which can slow down the traffic on the bridge and in Argentinská Street. For example, line 112, which connects the Holešovice railway station with the zoo and is very busy in the summer months, runs here, or bus number 201, which carries passengers between Nádraží Holešovice and Černý Most.

The change in signage had a negative effect especially in Prague 7, where it caused traffic complications, especially during the introduction of measures in June and the autumn repair of Argentinská Street.

“We realize that significant traffic changes are always a compromise. Therefore, we want to continue to monitor and evaluate the situation, and if we find that the implemented measures significantly complicate traffic in Prague 7, we will deal with the capital, “informs the spokesman of the seventh city district, Martin Vokuš.

The pressure on the tunnel continues

Locals do not like maintaining the measures, and I must say that, according to the analysis, the change in signage does not affect the traffic density in V Holešovičkách Street. In particular, they do not like the fact that the city tries to drive as many cars as possible through Blanka.

“More cars handled from the Blanka tunnel will mean more cars in Holešovičky,” says Michal Trník from the Holešovičky association for people, noting that the locals also mind moving the Kuchyňka stop, which is further away from the Barikádníky bridge due to changes.

The inhabitants of V Holešovičkách Street, as well as the City Hall of Prague 8, continue to promote street deepening as a suitable option for calming this area.

“We still consider the situation in V Holešovičkách Street to be unsustainable and demand that the street be deepened into a tunnel as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the municipality has no progress in that yet, “informs Martin Jedlička, Chairman of the Transport Committee of the Prague 8 City Council (United Forces for Prague 8). However, according to Scheinherr’s earlier statements, the tunnel must wait until the City Ring Road is completed, as the street now has no detours.