Prague will pay Hochtief CZK 23 million more for the reconstruction of the lower part of Wenceslas Square, which became more expensive due to changes in the original project. In addition, the city is also preparing the construction of tram tracks on the square, which should cost another CZK 85 million. This follows from a document approved by councilors today. Construction work began last year and originally was to cost about CZK 330 million.
Today, the city management approved an amendment to the original contract, which concerns minor modifications to the project for the aforementioned CZK 23 million. Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr (Prague Sobě) explained that the additional costs arose mainly from the fact that the city decided not to cut down the existing trees after the resistance of some inhabitants, which made it necessary to adjust the underground distribution networks.
The deputy added that more money will also cost the construction of irrigation of trees with rainwater from the retention tank, which the municipality chose on the basis of a study. Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09) added that about 30 trees will be preserved and 48 more will be added. At the same time, the city expects that the existing trees will still need to be gradually replaced. “A plan will be prepared for how the trees, after their survival, will be replaced after five pieces,” Hlaváček said.
In addition, the largest planned cost is to be the construction of blind tracks, which should in the future follow on from those planned in the upper part of the square from Vinohradská to Vodičková Street, where a regular line is to be put into operation. According to Scheinherr, it is advantageous to build them now during the reconstruction, rather than re-excavating the square in the future. They should be connected to the planned track above Vodičková during the planned reconstruction of the upper part of the square. The deputy added that the tracks in the lower part could be used, for example, for historical rides or a museum tram could stand there.
In the case of dormitories, councilors have not yet approved the extension of the contract with the construction company for their construction, but have agreed to increase the money for investments in the city budget by 85 million crowns. Scheinherr said that the project for the construction of the dormitories, which the municipality is negotiating with Prague 1, is now being completed. “I believe we are finding agreement,” he said. The construction is still awaiting separate approval.
Hlaváček added that negotiations with Prague 1 were somewhat complicated by a study, according to which trams could prospectively run on Národní třída and Příkopa, but according to him this is only an idea intended for further discussions. “We certainly have a debate that has been going on for ten, fifteen years,” he said. He added that the trams in the streets of the so-called fortification corridor, copying the original old town walls, would probably have to be otherwise technically designed and smaller than those used in normal operation.
Reconstruction of part of the square from Můstek to the mouth of Vodičkova began last April and, according to the original schedule, is to be completed this year. It is based on a project from the architectural firm Cigler Marani Architects, which was established in 2005.
Source: CTK
