Prague plans to change the zoning plan for the construction of a high-speed line

Prague plans to change the so-called principles of territorial development to allow the construction of a section of the high-speed railway line between Vršovice and Běchovice. In this context, it will also start preparing an amendment to the zoning plan. The city councillors approved it yesterday and the deputies will vote on it later. The section is part of the planned high-speed railway from Prague to Brno, and its construction should start in 2029, according to the Railway Administration (SŽ).

The principles of spatial development are superior to the master plan and the city must first include the line in them before it can change the plan. The change will affect Běchovice, Dubec, Dolní Měcholupy, Prague 9, Prague 10 and Prague 15, where the plans call for the high-speed line to run.

Last autumn, SŽ selected the designer of the 12-kilometre Prague section of the line, which, according to the organisation's website, should start operating in 2033. Earlier, design work had already begun on the connecting section between Běchovice and Poříčany.

The fast line in the Prague junction will be used exclusively by passenger transport. The project also includes the completion of the Prague-Zahradní město railway station and the connection to the high-speed line. The maximum speed for trains will be 200 km/h, the speed will be reduced when passing through built-up areas.

The project also includes the construction of a fourth track from Běchovice to Libeň and the implementation of the so-called Jahodnické spojka. According to SŽ, the project should thus strengthen the capacity of the Prague junction not only for high-speed lines, but also for conventional passenger and freight transport.

Source: SŽ and CTK