The long-planned modernization of Prague’s Hradčanská metro station has been pushed back to spring next year, following multiple delays in the tender publication. Originally scheduled to begin this year, the comprehensive renovation—with a preliminary budget of 1.144 billion Czech crowns allocated by Prague’s public transport company—continues to face uncertainty regarding whether elevators will be included in the reconstruction plans.
The renovation will be extensive, including repairs to platforms, the vestibule, and metro exits. A crucial component is replacing the escalators, which have exceeded their service life. By 2026, these escalators will be 30 years old. “If we delayed the station modernization, we would have to invest millions of crowns into replacing the drives of the existing escalators,” explains DPP spokesperson Daniel Šabík.
A dispute has emerged between Prague 6 district and the transport company regarding accessibility. The district is pressing for barrier-free access to be included in the renovation, noting that Line A has the fewest accessible stations of all metro lines, with none between Dejvická and Můstek stations. “The station underwent its first complete reconstruction in the mid-1990s, and even during that nearly year-long closure, no barrier-free access was implemented. That’s why we’re requesting it now,” explains Prague 6 transport councilor Ondrej Matěj Hrubeš.
However, the transport company is reluctant to proceed with elevator installation, preferring to coordinate this with planned modifications to the adjacent Dejvické railway station, which are part of the airport express train development. “DPP can only finalize the elevator placement and prepare project documentation after the Railway Administration (SŽ) completes their station project documentation,” defends DPP spokesperson Šabík.
The renovation will also address stray currents—electricity leaking from tracks into the ground and underground metal structures—and will include installing a measuring underground probe near the entrance to Charlotte G. Masaryk Park. Additionally, part of the station’s commercial spaces will be removed to reveal artistic reliefs in the wall cladding that have been hidden for years.