Dvorecký Bridge on the Brink of Completion!

Construction work on Prague’s Dvorecký Bridge, which will link the areas of Podolí and Smíchov, has been ongoing even in the chilly winter months.

The intricate process of laying concrete is advancing despite the colder temperatures.

“Recently, we managed to install the formwork, concrete, and prestressing reinforcement for the third span of the bridge. This required an impressive continuous pouring of around 1,000 cubic meters of concrete over a 36-hour period. To accomplish this, two concrete pumps were strategically positioned on floating pontoon assemblies within the Vltava River,” reported Metrostav TBR in their company newsletter.

The final span, span number four, is yet to be completed and is anticipated to be poured by late summer.

Unique Cubist Designs Complicate Construction

The Dvorecký Bridge is prominent due to its unique architectural style, necessitating that each concrete piece be specially crafted. The cubist-inspired designs vary throughout the bridge, resulting in each segment being one-of-a-kind.

Currently, approximately 150 workers are engaged in this endeavor. However, the project has encountered notable delays due to unforeseen complexities in the geological conditions. Furthermore, the supporting framework needed more reinforcement than what was originally anticipated. Consequently, the anticipated completion date for the bridge has now been shifted to January 2026.

Trams and Buses to Utilize the Bridge

When the bridge is completed, it is projected to support tram lines 2 and 20, in addition to specific bus routes. It will also form part of the city’s proposed Tram Ring.

On the Podolí side, the bridge is already integrated into the existing tram network, while construction on the Smíchov side is expected to commence between April and May. Tram tracks will subsequently be laid directly on the bridge’s supportive structure.

Design and Financial Aspects of the Project

The contract for the construction of the bridge was awarded to a consortium including Metrostav TBR, Firesta-Fišer, and Strabag for a sum of 1.075 billion CZK (excluding VAT).

Since then, project costs have risen by roughly 10%, leading the city to approve a budget increase to 1.188 billion CZK. The cubist design of the bridge was conceived by architect Radek Šíma.