Šmejkalka bridge reconstruction: Half of D1 structure reopens

The repaired half of the Šmejkalka bridge on the D1 highway has been reopened to traffic in the direction of Prague. The bridge, located at the 24th kilometer, is undergoing a major reconstruction costing approximately 965 million CZK excluding VAT.

Traffic is currently restricted to two narrowed lanes in each direction. The construction consortium, consisting of Strabag and Pragoprojekt, completed the first half of the bridge in one year and four months. The project involved removing the old load-bearing structure and concrete parts weighing up to 50 tons, as well as demolishing original pillars.

The new section features a reinforced concrete structure, new insulation, drainage, and guardrails. Work is scheduled to move to the second half of the bridge, heading toward Brno, at the end of September. The full reconstruction of this historic structure, which dates back to the 1939–1949 period, is expected to be completed by summer next year.