Prague's Roztocká and Kamýcká streets to reopen on September 6 — but not for good

Traffic restrictions on Prague's Roztocká and Kamýcká streets, introduced due to the reconstruction of a sewage pumping station, will be lifted no later than September 6 — earlier than the contractor originally planned. This was agreed by representatives of Prague 6, Prague-Suchdol, and the town of Roztoky, after builders had attempted to extend the works until September 27.

The station's reconstruction began at the end of June this year and required cutting the number of lanes on Roztocká street from four to two. The work was originally supposed to be finished by the end of August, but the contractor announced a delay of almost a month, pushing the deadline to September 27. Local authorities strongly opposed the move, fearing traffic gridlock at the start of the school year, when traffic volumes typically rise.

A compromise with the city

Following negotiations, the parties agreed to complete the main phase of the work and fully restore traffic on both streets, at full width, no later than September 6. However, the station's reconstruction will not be entirely finished by then — the contractor, together with the designer, is now working out ways to complete the remaining work by the end of the year while minimizing the impact on traffic.

The city's key demand is absolute priority for public transport in the dedicated lane, as well as postponing any remaining necessary restrictions to the autumn school holidays, when traffic is lighter.

The street will be dug up again in autumn

"Together with Prague-Suchdol and the town of Roztoky, we managed to get the city to agree to a fundamental change — shortening the closure period. Traffic on Kamýcká and Roztocká streets will resume no later than September 6. Unfortunately, this step doesn't mean the station reconstruction is finished, and the street will have to be dug up again later," warned Ondřej Matěj Hrubeš, Prague 6's councillor for transport.

For any further phases of work requiring traffic restrictions, the district will insist that they take place during school holidays, when traffic is lighter, and that priority measures for public transport be maintained. "Given our experience with previous closures and the data on delays to Prague's public transport lines, a large-scale traffic restriction during the busiest autumn months is absolutely unacceptable to us. We call on the construction company to plan its schedule efficiently and to approach traffic restrictions with full responsibility toward the thousands of people who use this road every day," Hrubeš added.

The public will be informed of the specific traffic management measures for the autumn holiday period as soon as the planning is finalized.

Source: prazsky.denik.cz