Most over the D1 motorway in the Czech Republic to be demolished due to safety concerns
The Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) has received a decision and authorization from the Ministry of Transport, which is the road administration authority for motorways, to safely demolish a bridge. The ŘSD has a maximum period of 90 days from the issuance of the ministry’s decision to carry out the demolition, with the deadline set for January 25th.
The ŘSD has already begun preparations for the demolition and has called for companies to submit bids. The demolition is expected to take place around January 10th. The motorway will be closed in both directions during the demolition, similar to the demolition of some overpasses during the modernization of the motorway a few years ago. The demolition is likely to take place during nighttime hours to minimize disruption to drivers.
The bridge is a prestressed reinforced concrete structure. The main concern is the tensioning cable that holds the structure together. It is rusted and there is a risk that it will not fulfill its role. If it fails, there is a possibility that the entire bridge could collapse.
According to the ŘSD, the bridge, built in 1979, is not a fully functional structure. During the last expert inspection, it was discovered that there were some serious errors made during its construction, making the structure highly risky. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport has ordered the bridge to be demolished within 90 days.
The danger posed by the bridge affects both drivers on the motorway and those who use the bridge. The use of the bridge has been prohibited since last year, including for pedestrians and cyclists.
The demolition of the bridge will permanently cut off a vital connection for local residents on both sides of the motorway. This is particularly inconvenient for farmers who rely on the bridge to transport their goods. Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Transport, the regional government, and the ŘSD to include the construction of a new bridge in the transport investment plan. However, no concrete outcome has been reached yet.
The ownership of the bridge is also a contentious issue. According to the ŘSD, the bridge should be owned by the municipalities, which also own the adjacent field roads. However, the municipalities argue that the bridge was built by the state during the construction of the motorway and therefore, it is the responsibility of the state to maintain it. The ownership of the bridge has not been definitively determined by the courts.
The ŘSD is offering cooperation to the surrounding municipalities in the event of the construction of a new bridge. However, the future of the bridge and the restoration of the vital connection for local residents remain uncertain.The Ministry of Transport has given the Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) the decision and authorization to safely demolish a bridge. The ŘSD has a maximum of 90 days from the issuance of the decision to carry out the demolition, with the deadline set for January 25th.
Preparations for the demolition have already begun, with the ŘSD calling for companies to submit bids. The demolition is expected to take place around January 10th, with the ŘSD planning to close the highway in both directions during the process, similar to previous demolitions during the modernization of the highway. The demolition will likely take place during nighttime hours to minimize disruption to drivers.
The bridge, built in 1979, is a prestressed reinforced concrete structure. The main concern is the tensioning cable that holds the structure together, as it has become rusted and may not fulfill its role. If the cable fails, there is a risk of the entire bridge collapsing.
According to the ŘSD, the bridge was found to have significant construction errors during a recent expert inspection, making it highly risky. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport has ordered the bridge to be demolished within 90 days.
The danger posed by the bridge extends not only to drivers on the highway but also to those who use the bridge for transportation. Last year, the ŘSD prohibited any use of the bridge, including by pedestrians and cyclists.
The demolition of the bridge will permanently cut off a vital connection for local residents on both sides of the highway. This loss of access is particularly inconvenient for farmers who rely on the bridge to transport heavy loads. Efforts are being made to secure funding for the construction of a new bridge, but no concrete outcome has been reached yet.
The residents of Řehořov, the village affected by the bridge closure, have expressed their dissatisfaction by signing a petition. The petition, signed by nearly 500 people, represents the entire population of Řehořov over the age of 18. The local communities have been vocal about their concerns and have sent their opinions to the relevant authorities in the past months.
The mayors of neighboring towns, Kamenice and Věžnice, have also voiced their support for the construction of a new bridge. They argue that the original bridge was built to replace three roads that were closed due to the construction of the highway. Without a new bridge, people will have no means of accessing the affected lands.
In the meantime, farmers have been forced to use alternative routes, including the main road under the bridge, which has caused damage and pollution to the local roads in Věžnice.
The demolition of the bridge will have a significant impact on the local communities, and efforts are being made to find a solution that will restore the vital connection.
How did the significant errors during the last expert inspection affect the safety and functionality of the bridge?
Ificant errors during the last expert inspection, making it highly risky and not fully functional. As a result, the Ministry of Transport has ordered its demolition within 90 days.
The dangerous condition of the bridge poses a threat to both motorway users and pedestrians. Since last year, the bridge has been prohibited for use by anyone, including pedestrians and cyclists.
The demolition of the bridge will permanently disrupt the vital connection for local residents on both sides of the motorway, causing inconvenience for farmers who rely on it for transporting their goods. Efforts are underway to discuss the construction of a new bridge with the Ministry of Transport, regional government, and the ŘSD, but no definite outcome has been reached yet.
Ownership of the bridge is also a point of contention. The ŘSD asserts that the bridge should be owned by the municipalities, who also own the adjacent field roads. However, the municipalities argue that since the bridge was built by the state during the motorway construction, it is the responsibility of the state to maintain it. The matter has not been definitively resolved by the courts.
The ŘSD is offering cooperation to the surrounding municipalities in the event of the construction of a new bridge, but the future of the bridge and the restoration of the vital connection for local residents remain uncertain.
