Prague's Wenceslas Square tram line moves ahead after contractor chosen

The Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) has announced that construction firm Eurovia CS has secured a contract with the City of Prague to construct the much-anticipated tram line in the upper section of Prague's Wenceslas Square. The project is expected to take around three years, with construction set to commence in spring 2024.

Daniel Šabík, head of the DPP communications department, told journalists Friday that DPP evaluated six offers from six different companies, with pricing accounting for 80 percent of the evaluation criteria and construction duration for 20 percent.

All six companies promised that the project would be completed before spring 2027. The range between the highest and lowest bid exceeded CZK 250 million.

"I've got some hot news for you. We will soon start returning trams to the upper part of Wenceslas Square! We have a new contractor," announced Prague Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib on social media site X Friday.

This development marks the return of trams to the upper part of Wenceslas Square, which had seen tram services until 1980. The decision to reintroduce trams was made by the previous city administration.

The planned tracks will run down the sides of the square and a promenade will be created in the middle. Workers will repair pavements and roadways, plant greenery, repair parts of the Muzeum metro station, and create an underground reservoir to catch rainwater. 

The city also plans to reduce the traffic on the square, which will run partly on tram tracks. Additionally, the city plans to implement traffic-slowing measures for cars sharing the square with the tram tracks.

Prague is further planning another tram line construction, extending from the National Museum, past the main train station to Bolzanova Street. This project is currently part of an architectural competition in collaboration with the Railway Administration, with results expected by mid-next year.

Wenceslas Square, measuring 682 meters in length and approximately 60 meters in width, underwent a reconstruction initiative that began in 2020, primarily focusing on the lower part of the square. Subsequent work concentrated on smaller sections near the tracks, laying the groundwork for the tram line construction in the upper part.

The tram line construction on Wenceslas Square is a substantial infrastructure project aimed at enhancing transportation within the heart of Prague, reflecting the city's commitment to modernization and improved public transit options.