They immediately called on the minister of Prague, the region and carriers to solve the Vltava railway bridge in Prague
According to the signatories of the appeal, there is a risk of a collapse of rail transport, freight carriers will want compensation for the diversion route.
Representatives of the Central Bohemian Region, Prague, public transport organizers and the association of railway freight carriers ŽESNAD.cz today called on the Minister of Transport and the Director General of the Railway Administration to start solving the problem of the poor condition of the two railway bridges in Prague over the Vltava river as soon as possible. It concerns the bridge under Vyšehrad and the Branický bridge. They fear a collapse of traffic if both bridges are closed at the same time.
The invitations were signed just a few days after the Railway Administration announced further traffic restrictions on the Vltava bridge under Vyšehrad, which is the main connection of corridor lines from west to east. The railway administration will significantly limit traffic over the bridge from mid-February. There will be a reduction in the load class of the bridge from C3 to C2, this will ultimately prevent the operation of freight trains. Starting in 2024, the track speed will be limited to 20 km/h, and heavier rail vehicles will not be able to enter most of them, while only one train will be able to pass through the existing structure. The total load on the bridge must be reduced to 60 percent of the current range for next year.
“If the shutdown of both bridges happens on the same date, it will have an absolutely fatal effect on passenger and freight rail transport,” said Petr Borecký, Deputy Governor of the Central Bohemian Region. In the letter, the signatories request that the Railway Administration begin the reconstruction of the Branické bridge as soon as possible. Finally, they called for an end to the discussion on the historic preservation of the bridge under Vyšehrad. A new investigation is required also Minister of Transport Martin Kupka. “What we want is for everyone to tell each other how big a mess is at risk here,” added Oldřich Sládek, president of the Transport Association.
Compensation due to diversions
According to Borecký, there is a risk that the stoppage of traffic on both bridges will practically lead to the collapse of the S7 line Prague – Beroun. Already announced restrictions have a major limitation on the bridge’s capacity. “The number of trains that pass over the bridge should be reduced by roughly half from December,” estimates Václav Haas from Ropid. The signatories of the letter called for the start of work on the Branické bridge as soon as possible. In his case, the Railway Administration only a few days ago issued a public tender.
The president of ŽESNAD.cz, Martin Hořínek, stated that until now, freight transport has the option of driving over the Branický most or the Výtoňský most. Freight carriers will have to drive to the other bank of the Vltava, for example to Pilsen via České Budějovice or Ústí nad Labem, after the Branické bridge is closed. Freight carriers will want compensation from the state. According to Hořínka, the diversion via České Budějovice from Prague to Pilsen will increase the cost by 1,500 to 2,000 euros per train.
“We cannot bear the costs of hundreds of kilometers of transportation ourselves or pass them on to customers,Hořínek added. According to him, there is a risk that part of the transport will be moved to the road. “It is necessary to focus on priority constructions on the Czech railway. Do not strain yourself at events such as the rebuilding of the Semily or Rakovník station. They are important but not a priority,Sládek added.
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