Prague is set to witness a significant expansion of its ring road, known as the Prague Ring (Pražský okruh), with construction of a new 12.6-kilometer section slated to begin this December. This crucial infrastructure project, connecting Běchovice to the D1 motorway, represents a major step in improving traffic flow around the Czech capital.
The Road and Motorway Directorate (ŘSD) has selected a consortium of construction firms to undertake this ambitious project, with costs estimated at 9.76 billion Czech crowns, excluding VAT. Radek Mátl, Director General of ŘSD, emphasized the project’s importance: “The Prague Ring is a key construction not only for Prague but for the entire region. Its completion will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce the traffic burden in the capital.”
This new section, designated as number 511, is crucial for the Prague Ring as it will create an essential traffic connection between the main motorways leading into Prague. The six-lane highway is expected to alleviate congestion in residential areas that have long faced high traffic intensity. By 2030, it’s projected that 70,000 to 80,000 vehicles will use this section daily.
The project includes the construction of two tunnels, four interchanges, 19 bridges, and two pedestrian and cyclist overpasses. To mitigate noise pollution, 16 noise barriers totaling nearly eight kilometers in length will be installed along the route.
Parallel to this project, construction of the I/12 Běchovice–Úvaly road relocation is planned to start in the summer of next year, with both projects aimed at completion by the end of 2027. Once finished, these developments promise to reshape Prague’s traffic landscape, offering smoother transit for both residents and through traffic.