Bridge too far? Prague Railway Project extracts criticism

The Czech capital Prague is one of the architectural gems in Europe: to a large extent untouched by ten centuries invasion and war, it attracts about 8 million tourists a year.

This is a live table with architectural styles; From medieval to baroque, from industrial to modern. So when the Prague landmark is planned for destruction or reconstruction, it invariably causes strong passions.

“I think this bridge is absolutely key to the threshold,” said architect and bridge engineer Peter Tay, transferring his hand over the carriers covered with rust to the 123-year-old Wijad railway bridge.

“The panorama, which is formed jointly with the Visechrad fortress behind it, is at the same level as Charles Bridge’s panorama with a threshold castle. These two panoramas are – in my opinion – crucial to the threshold and we have to keep them,” TEJ told the BBC.

Standing on the pedestrian walkway that walked past the rusty steel bridge, we looked at the trio of arches that became an emblematic feature of the southern silhouette of Prague.

As we talked by train west west above the river, heading to the Smichov station on Prague and from there to Karlovy Vary, Pilsen or Germany.

“These bits here are the most affected by rust,” Peter told me, pointing a nest of rivets and beams.

Peter is part of the Visechrad Bridge Foundation, an international coalition of experts who have restored such steel bridges around the world – some of them are in a much higher shape than this.

They say that the plan of the railway authority to dismantle this emblematic industrial landmark – erected in 1902. During the heyday of the Austro -Hungarian Empire – is completely unnecessary.

“Previous expert reports said 70% of steel should be replaced. Our study says it is only 15%. This is a huge difference.”

The foundation’s proposal is simple: repair the bridge on the spot, keep trains to work, minimize interruptions and save money in the process.

Earlier this year, their discoveries were approved by UNESCO, which defends much of the historic center of Prague. They are also supported by over 25,000 residents who have signed a petition requesting that the Visechrad Bridge be restored rather than replacing.

A little later, in the shade of the metal carriers, the director of the preparation of the construction of the rail body Pavel Plaar shook his head in disagreement.

“This bridge is already processing about three quarters of the Prague railway traffic. It can handle more, but because of corrosion it can only carry about 60% of its capacity,” Padar told the BBC.

“With the predicted growth of the railway travel, this will be a major transport problem. Yes, it is a protected historical monument, but it becomes more and more clear that it is simply not possible to reconcile these two things – transport needs and the preservation of the inheritance.”

The new bridge will include a third song and according to the visualizations will be quite tribute to the original. The whole area will also be revived by the transport links from the main station to the west of the country and will then be improved.

Meanwhile, the Old Bridge will be dismantled and moved about 8 km (5 miles) south to Morat County to start a new life as a pedestrian intersection and cyclists.

However, this idea has been criticized by campaigns. The Vltava River in Modrate is about half the wider than in the city center. It is said that a city rail bridge will look completely out of place, stopped in the middle of the meadow.

“There is a misconception that there are two conflict interests here-Transportation and Protection of our cultural heritage,” said Tomash Bistriki, philanthropist and co-founder of the Wuhrad Bridge Foundation, which offers a second, built bridge with the original to provide the third song.

“But our study shows that there is no conflict at all; on the contrary, these two things are supported by each other.”

This is a centuries -old dilemma: to be destroyed in the name of modernity or to preserve in the name of tradition. It evokes particularly strong emotions in a city that is proud of its architectural conservation.

After all, and maybe earlier than later, this is what will have to be resolved not by rail engineers or inheritance campaigns, but by the Czech government.