Prague’s streets remain a battleground for drivers and workers alike, even as the construction season draws to a close. Reporters shadowed multiple sites on December 11 to gauge progress on key road closures, revealing a mix of steady work and persistent traffic snarls. While some areas avoided total gridlock, the capital’s growing car volume and coordination woes continue to fuel commuter frustration.
Rush Hour at Jana Želivského
Near Olšany Cemeteries, Jana Želivského Street has been torn up since October for water main renewal and tram track reconstruction. Morning rush hour around 8 a.m. brought intense car traffic with sudden backups, as early workers tackled asphalt laying and trolley wiring. By afternoon after 3 p.m., fewer crews handled cleanup and signage adjustments, keeping dense flow moving without full collapse.
Libeňský Bridge on Hold
Work at Libeňský Bridge halted following a November council decision to conserve the site, prompted by the Office for the Protection of Competition blocking the Technical Roads Administration (TSK) over contract changes—including a replica build plan. Traffic flowed smoothly all day, with just three workers and a TSK rep operating a drilling rig for surveys across the span. Their shift wrapped around 5 p.m., leaving no disruptions.
Metro Upgrades Near National Museum
Along the main boulevard by the National Museum, crews renewed the metro station vestibule ceiling slab while backfilling an old underpass and structures once eyed for federal garages. Morning in Legerova from I.P. Pavlova Square and Wilsonova Street saw typical heavy traffic with creeping queues, amid pavement laying and underpass demolition. Progress included intense concreting and grouting post-lunch, as afternoon peaks rebuilt columns in both directions.
Smooth Sailing in Počernická
Počernická Street’s extensive engineering network relocations prep for future tram lines, with activity buzzing all Wednesday. Unlike flashpoints elsewhere, traffic stayed fluid at the Limuzská intersection and toward Vinohradská, dodging the usual snags. This outlier highlights pockets of efficiency amid Prague’s broader repair frenzy.
The Bigger Picture
Debate rages over blame: city hall mismanagement, TSK failures, district disputes, or simply surging vehicle numbers clogging veins daily. Upper Wenceslas Square focuses on tram builds, but these closures underscore autumn’s transport turmoil. Drivers brace for more as repairs linger into winter.
