Prague Roads Administration Ordered Not to Demolish Libeň Bridge

The Prague Roads Administration (TSK) has been barred from demolishing the historic Libeň Bridge and replacing it with a replica. The ruling was confirmed by the head of the Czech Antitrust Office (ÚOHS), Petr Mlsna, who upheld an earlier decision that prohibited TSK from continuing work on parts of the reconstruction that went beyond the scope of the original contract.

TSK selected Metrostav TBR in 2022 to carry out the reconstruction based on an approved study. Since then, the project underwent significant revisions, including plans to demolish the existing structure and build a replica, which the Antitrust Office concluded amounted to awarding a new contract without a tender. The latest ruling, which follows repeated reviews, is final.

TSK spokeswoman Barbora Lišková said the organisation has already issued an order to suspend the affected works and is reviewing its next steps. She noted that the ruling does not cancel the contract entirely, but only restricts work not included in the original tender. According to Lišková, TSK is preparing additional tenders to comply with the decision while aiming to limit the impact on the overall reconstruction schedule.

The Libeň Bridge, designed by architect Pavel Janák and opened in 1928, is a complex of six structures spanning the Vltava River. It has never undergone a full repair. Past city administrations debated demolishing the bridge, but later opted for reconstruction. In late 2023, TSK announced plans to build a replica on the original pillars, citing updated structural models and stricter European safety standards introduced after the Genoa bridge collapse in Italy.

Metrostav TBR is currently working on designs for the replica, but the latest ruling prevents any further steps beyond the original contract. The ban took effect immediately upon delivery of the decision to the parties involved.

Work on parts of the bridge complex has already begun. The so-called inundation bridge toward Palmovka was demolished last year, and construction of a replacement started this May. TSK has stated that further tenders will be launched for additional stages of the project, including any demolition and replacement of the main span.

Source: CTK
Photo: Libeň Bridge in Prague - Wikipedia