Zlaté Hory road repairs cause significant travel delays

A five-and-a-half-kilometer section of road from Zlaté Hory toward Heřmanovice is undergoing repairs, with the closure expected to last until December 19. The official detour via Jeseník and Vidly increases the travel distance from Zlaté Hory to Vrbno pod Pradědem from 16 to 48 kilometers, extending travel time from fifteen minutes to nearly an hour.

Local authorities in Zlaté Hory requested an exception to allow traffic through Horní Údolí to assist commuters, students, and those caring for elderly relatives. However, the Jeseník municipal office rejected the request, citing safety and traffic flow concerns. The decision was based on assessments from the police, the Olomouc Region Road Administration, and the bus operator Arriva. Officials noted that the narrow width of alternative routes would prevent the safe passing of buses and passenger vehicles, and that the road's technical condition and steep incline require prioritized maintenance for emergency services and public transport.