The Czech government is planning to elevate eight bridges that span the Vltava river to open another tourist route between Germany and Prague. The Czech state intends to invest CZK 1bn in the project. The Waterway Directorate (ŘVC) has already secured a planning permit and bought the land it needs to repair the bridges, work the server idnes.cz writes should be completed in 2018.
The majority of boats coming from Germany cannot get through to Prague and are forced to stop Mělník. Currently, only boats that are 4.5 meters or shorter can pass. The bridges will be raised to allow through boats that are 7 meters in height. The water tourism industry has been increasing, with two hotel boats frequenting the Elbe and Vltava rivers on a weekly basis.
