October 4, 2014: Opening of Troja Bridge, an architectural landmark that came at a high price
The Troja Bridge across the Vltava River has been serving pedestrians, cyclists, trams, and cars already for a decade. It’s considered one of the most beautiful contemporary structures in Czechia, winning acclaim from architects and industry experts alike. In 2015, the bridge was recognised with the prestigious Award of Excellence by the European Steel Construction Association.
However, this architectural gem came at a high price. Originally expected to cost just under half a billion crowns, the final bill reached a staggering CZK 1.3 billion – almost three times the original estimate. This significant cost overrun was partly due to a decision by the city to construct a different bridge than the one proposed by Metrostav as part of the Blanka Tunnel project. The final design of the Troja Bridge was the result of an architectural competition, which was won by Roman Koucký's Architectural Office in collaboration with the design firm Mott McDonald.
Prague and its bridges
Prague is home to over 30 bridges spanning the Vltava River, with 18 crossing the entire river. Among these are 13 road bridges, eight for trams, and four railway bridges. The city's most famous bridge is the historic Charles Bridge, while the newest is the Dvorecký Bridge, connecting the districts of Hlubočepy, Smíchov, and Podolí, which is currently under construction.
The new Troja Bridge replaced a makeshift structure used for trams and pedestrians since 1981, known for making loud sounds as cars drove over.
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