Tram lines between Újezd and Lazarská shut down in central Prague — car traffic restricted too

Prague has begun repairs on one of the busiest sections of its tram network — between the Újezd and Lazarská stops. According to the press office of Prague's public transport operator (DPP), during rush hour roughly one tram a minute passes through this stretch in each direction, which is exactly why it was chosen for a major overhaul.

Work is most intense at the corner of Lazarská and Spálená streets, as well as at the intersection near the Máj department store, along Národní třída and in front of the National Theatre. Public transport has also been suspended on the Legion Bridge (Most Legií), and crews can be seen on the nearby Vítězná street in front of Petřín Hill.

The restrictions, expected to last about three weeks, affect tram lines 2, 4, 5, 9, 18, 22, 23, 42, 93, 97, 98 and 99. Most of them have been rerouted via the "National Theatre" stop along Masarykovo nábřeží, some via Myslíkova street and Jiráskovo náměstí, through Anděl and past the Švanda Theatre, while a few routes have been changed entirely.

For the duration of the repairs, the operator has launched two temporary routes: No. 32, running from Výpich to Sídliště Řepy, and No. 39, connecting the tram depot in Žižkov with Bratří Synků square. Full route details are published on the DPP website.

The city-centre works have also affected drivers: on several stretches traffic now flows in one direction only, occasionally causing jams. One-way traffic is in effect from Újezd towards the theatre, on Národní street from the Vltava side, and on part of Spálená street. The section near the "Národní třída" stop is closed entirely — previously, emergency vehicles could access it alongside public transport, though private cars were never allowed there.

As part of the works, DPP specialists will replace worn rail track elements and tram switches, upgrade two junction points, replace outdated overhead line supports, and carry out spot repairs on the tracks. The tram line itself on the Legion Bridge, however, will not be touched.

Meanwhile, in another part of Prague, repairs have just wrapped up: track reconstruction near Prague Castle on Mariánské hradby and Jelení streets, which began in March, is now complete. As of this past weekend, tram lines 22, 23, 41 and 42 are running through the "Prague Castle" stop again — they had previously been diverted via Hradčanská.

Once the city-centre works are finished, DPP crews will move on to repairing the tracks on Chodovská street.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz