The long-anticipated renovation of the historic Cheb Bridge in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, has been pushed to next year. The delay stems from an interesting development where two proposed studies were merged into a single comprehensive plan.
The city administration, led by Deputy Mayor Lubomír Kovář, is currently in the consultation phase, reaching out to ten specialized bridge construction firms. “We’ve prepared five technical questions to assess the feasibility of implementing the proposed design,” Kovář explained. The project, estimated to cost between 300-400 million Czech crowns, is now scheduled to commence in 2026.
The renovation presents a unique challenge, as the bridge, dating back to the second half of the 19th century, received an extension in the 1980s that has since deteriorated significantly. The project’s scope extends beyond the bridge itself, encompassing connections to West Street and potentially causing traffic disruptions in the city center, as the Cheb Bridge serves as the most heavily utilized crossing over the Ohře River.
City officials are now weighing two approaches: either combining the design and construction phases under a single contractor – a faster but costlier option – or following the traditional route of separate tenders for design and construction, which could be more economical but time-consuming.
Despite the changes, the historical appearance of the bridge will be preserved, maintaining its architectural significance while ensuring modern safety standards.