Plans for the northern section of the Prague Ring are taking shape: five architectural teams have reached the final stage for the construction of a new Vltava Bridge. The structure is set to be built from 2027 and will play a key role in closing the gap of the city motorway.
The project for the northern section of the Prague Ring motorway has taken a decisive step forward. The Czech Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) has launched the final phase of the international architectural competition for the planned bridge construction over the Vltava in section D0 519 between Suchdol and Březiněves. A panel of experts selected five out of the fifteen submitted designs, from which the final design will now be chosen.
The future bridge will play a key role in closing the gap in the Prague Ring. The plan is for a structure nearly 600 metres long and approximately 80 metres above the river. In addition to three lanes in each direction, the structure will also include a pedestrian and cycle path. Construction costs are estimated at around two billion Czech crowns.
The architectural competition was organised by the ŘSD in cooperation with the Czech Chamber of Architects. Prize money totalling 20 million crowns is available, with the winning design receiving five million crowns. The five finalists are:
- Stráský, Hustý a partneři & Studio acht
- Valbek
- Cowi Czech Republic
- 2T engineering & TOP CON SERVIS
- ov architekti & V-NOC
“The competition was the first open architectural contest of its kind for a motorway bridge in the Czech Republic,” explained ŘSD Director General Radek Mátl. “Now we face the greatest challenge: selecting a design that is convincing architecturally, technically, and economically. The chosen concept will be integrated into the project documentation to enable construction to begin in 2027. Our goal is to complete the entire Prague Ring by 2031 at the latest.”
The public will be able to view all submitted proposals at a planned exhibition, with the date and location yet to be announced. Construction of the bridge is scheduled to start in 2027, and the new structure should open as part of the Prague Ring motorway by 2031.
Upon completion, the Prague Ring will be 83.6 kilometres long. The planned new bridge is the most prominent structure of the entire project and will, for the first time, provide a direct connection for pedestrians and cyclists between Suchdol and Bohnice. Initial plans for a bridge at this location date back to the 1930s.
