Prague - Prague municipal authority backed the decision not to have a special tram line across Letná plain.
The tram line was supposed to facilitate crossing the Letná area since the tram line on the Milady Horákové Street, one of the busiest places in Prague, is closed due to tunnel construction works.
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Closure only for 7 months
A task team appointed by Prague Mayor Pavel Bém stated today that the closure would last less than expected, only from 1 February 2009 until 1 September 2009. Originally, the closure was expected to last 12 months longer.
"The original time schedule of the Blanka tunnel works was more beneficial for the builders than for Praguers who need to commute across Letná plain. That's why I proposed and supported an emergency subsidiary tram line, knowing that this would mean enormous unexpected costs for the municipality budget," Bém said.
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No need to by-pass anymore
"As the project was revised, it transpired it is possible to shorten the closure between Špejchar and Prašný most bridge down to seven months. So a tram line bypass project is no longer needed," he added.
According to Bém, the bypass would have cost CZK 100 million and it would affect the "life" in the Letná park where Praguers like to spend their leisure time.
