Czech Transport Projects Delayed and Costlier

Prague tram reconstruction bridge tender cost overrun Antitrust Office transport delays Czech infrastructure

In Prague, extensive tram‑track reconstruction near the National Theatre and along major routes has created lengthy vehicle queues, with some sections experiencing delays of up to an hour and a half during peak times. The city has introduced temporary traffic measures, such as converting a one‑way street, to ease the congestion.

The Czech Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) announced the winner of a tender to widen the bridge over Počernický rybník. The selected consortium’s bid was about 1.48 billion CZK, roughly 180 million CZK higher than the original estimate, justified by a faster construction schedule.

Meanwhile, the Prague Technical Administration of Roads (TSK) prepared a separate tender to complete the unfinished Libeňský bridge after the competition was halted by the Antitrust Office. The new contractor will finish the bridge within roughly a year, allowing tram service to resume.

Commentary in Czech media highlights a pattern of delayed, costly infrastructure projects in Prague, pointing to legal disputes, contract changes and escalating budgets that could burden taxpayers for years to come.