Prague is planning a new circular metro line. We know where to go
Current management of Prague in February 2022, it scrapped the idea of a circular subway line, as some European capitals have – for example, Moscow, of those that are comparably large with Prague, then, for example, Oslo and, recently, Copenhagen. The idea was originally born in the second half of the 80s of the 20th century, when the underground circuit was supposed to have the designation E and dark blue identification color. By this time, according to Metrostav’s contemporary plans, most of the route should have been completed, it was supposed to be completely completed in 2025. By the way, route D was also supposed to be running. The original circuit was supposed to lead from Chmelnice (intersection with line D) to Palmovka (× with line B). Dělnická, Vltavská (× C), Letenské náměstí, Hradčanská (× A), Pohořelec, Anděl (then Moskevská) and Smíchovské nádraží (at both stations parallel with line B), Kavčí hory, Pankrác (then Mládežnická, × C and D ) , Strašnická (× A) and Chmelnica again.
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After the social and economic changes that started in 1989, the plans were delayed until in 2006 they fell off the table definitively. Prague politicians scrapped the plan after 16 years, but in a completely revised form. The route of the intended line O with the orange color is newly designed and covers a much larger area. It should measure approximately 36 kilometers and contain 23 stations. It should primarily serve the railway station, including the future VRT terminal in the northeastern part of Prague. It should also significantly improve the service of Čakovice and the development of the territory in the north of the metropolis. It overlaps with the original proposal only in the section Anděl – Smíchovské nádraží and at Chmelnice.
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The new proposal should therefore follow the route Nádraží Podbaba – Dejvická (× A) – Vozovna Střešovice – Malovanka – Strahov – Anděl (× B) – Smíchovské nádraží (× B) – Dvorce – Olbrachtova (× D) – Budějovická (× C) – Brumlovka – Michle – Eden – Želivského (× A) – Freight station Žižkov – Chmelnice – Nádraží Libeň – Vysočanská (× B) – Prosek (× C) – Tupolevova – Nové Čakovice – Nádraží Čakovice – Terminal VRT sever – further four stations not yet named – Podbaba station. However, the design of the route is only approximate, the study will specify a variant solution, while the northern part of the route in particular will receive several variants with the possibility of branching. the final form will depend on a number of factors, above all on complementarity with the simultaneously planned future equivalent of the Prague Railway Junction (ŽUP), which includes new radial routes, largely tunnelled.
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The purpose of the O route will not only be a fast connection on routes where demand is already high today, but also to help change the structure of Prague from a monocentric to a polycentric one. Automatic operation without drivers is expected, and the final technical design is also being considered – whether it will be a so-called heavy metro like the existing lines A to D, or a lighter and cheaper alternative. Therefore, a competition was announced for a feasibility study to be commissioned by the organization Ropid/IPR/DPP. Due to the anticipated financial and time demands, gradual implementation is expected, with the so-called core section, i.e. the Anděl – Želivského tangent, coming first. Rough estimates of total completion range beyond the 2050 horizon.