Prague Shuts Down Tram Tracks in City Centre — Repairs Hit Stretch Renovated Only a Few Years Ago

A major construction project has taken over Národní třída and Spálená Street in Prague: tram service between the Lazarská and Újezd stops has been temporarily suspended for track repairs, forcing drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to find alternative routes. According to the Prague Public Transit Company, the work — which has continued even on weekends — is expected to wrap up overnight into Tuesday, August 11.

Until service resumes on the repaired section, trams are being rerouted, with changes varying line by line. Notably, the central hub for night routes has been temporarily moved from Lazarská to Karlovo náměstí.

The changes affect eight daytime lines — 2, 4, 5, 9, 18, 22, as well as the historic lines 23 and 42 — plus four night lines: 93, 97, 98 and 99. The transit company has also added extra daytime lines 32 and 39. Passengers are strongly urged to use the metro for trips through the city centre during the works.

Crews are replacing worn-out rails at one of the busiest points in the capital's tram network — the intersection of Spálená and Lazarská streets — as well as track curves near the Máj department store. The repairs also include modernising two switch points and replacing deteriorating overhead-line supports at the junction near the National Theatre.

The works have sparked grumbling among some Praguers. On social media, users point out that the road surface in this area was already thoroughly redone about eight to ten years ago, and question why another major overhaul is needed so soon. In response, the transit company notes that during weekday rush hours, a tram passes roughly once a minute in each direction here, making it one of the busiest sections of the network.

Frustration has also been mounting over road conditions: due to a string of restrictions and partial closures, the Legion Bridge (Most Legií) between Národní třída and Vítězná Street is temporarily closed to two-way traffic, adding to the confusion for drivers on an already congested stretch.

Read also: Prague Metro: map and tickets

Around Prague, based on reporting by prazsky.denik.cz