Two Bridges Over the Prague Ring to Be Replaced as D0 Expansion to Six Lanes Is Prepared

Extensive construction works have begun on the western section of the Prague Ring. Two bridges over the D0 are being demolished and replaced with new structures in preparation for the planned expansion of the ring road to six lanes.

Extensive construction works began on Monday on the western section of the Prague Ring. The Roads and Motorways Directorate (ŘSD) is demolishing two bridges over the D0 and replacing them with new structures. The project is a prerequisite for the planned expansion of the Prague Ring between Třebonice and Slivenec to six lanes.

The overpasses carrying the roads K Austisu and K Zadní Kopanině over the D0 are affected. According to the ŘSD, the existing bridges date back to the 1980s and do not provide sufficient space for the planned widening of the ring road to three lanes in each direction.

“We are building new overpasses in order to prepare the area for the actual expansion of the Prague Ring. We already plan to begin the widening to 3+3 lanes in 2027. This is crucial for smoother traffic on the western part of the Prague Ring, as the current two-lane solution is no longer sufficient,” said ŘSD Director General Radek Mátl in a podcast.

Initially, preparatory works and the relocation of utility networks outside the carriageway of the D0 will take place. The ŘSD expects the demolition of the existing bridges to begin within a month. The actual dismantling is scheduled for the night of 13 to 14 June and is expected to take place under a full closure of the D0.

According to the contractor Skanska, the full closures will last a maximum of 16 hours at a time and will only be carried out at weekends during the night from Saturday to Sunday. Similar restrictions are also planned when the new bridge girders are installed.

During most phases of the construction works, traffic on the Prague Ring is expected to continue in a 2+2 configuration. However, restrictions are also expected on surrounding roads.

The new bridge on K Austisu Street is expected to be completed within 150 days. The K Zadní Kopanině overpass will require around 210 days due to its more complex design. In future, two separate bridges will be built there – one for road traffic and another for a cycle path and a biocorridor. The K Austisu bridge will also be widened.

The cost of the project amounts to nearly CZK 207 million excluding VAT. The contractor is Skanska.

The affected section of the D0 is among the oldest parts of the Prague Ring and has been in operation since 1983. According to the latest traffic counts, around 75,500 vehicles use the route every day.