Prague Opens Dvorecký Bridge: New Tram Link and Pedestrian Hub

Prague is preparing for the full opening of the Dvorecký Bridge on April 18, 2026. The 361-metre-long crossing over the Vltava River will establish a new connection between Podolí in Prague 4 and Zlíchov in Prague 5, significantly altering the city’s public transport network.

The bridge is designed exclusively for public transport, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles. Individual car traffic will not be permitted on the structure. City officials intend for the new link to ease congestion on other river crossings, specifically by reducing the volume of buses and traffic on the nearby Barrandov Bridge.

Public Transport Integration

Starting April 18, several tram and bus lines will adjust their routes to utilize the new bridge. The following lines are scheduled to operate over the Dvorecký Bridge:

• Tram lines 20 and 21
• Bus lines 118, 124, 196, and 197
• Night lines 901 and 914

The integration of these routes is expected to improve transport reliability. By providing a direct link between Smíchov and Podolí, buses will be able to avoid heavily used sections around the Barrandov Bridge where delays have frequently occurred.

Construction and Design

Construction of the Dvorecký Bridge began in 2022. The project faced several delays, including challenges with unstable riverbed conditions during the installation of support pillars and rescheduling necessitated by works at the Smíchov railway station. While the original timeline aimed for completion by the end of 2024, the project extended into 2026.

The bridge is constructed from white concrete, a design choice that echoes the Štvanice Footbridge opened in 2022. This aesthetic is intended to provide a clean, modern appearance to Prague’s Vltava crossings. For pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge offers a view of the southern façade of Vyšehrad.

The bridge had previously opened to pedestrians and cyclists on September 10, 2025, allowing for a dry-foot crossing while work continued on the technical infrastructure. Final stages of construction included laying tracks, installing traction masts, railings, lighting, and modifying the surrounding urban spaces.

Testing and Final Approval

The bridge has undergone rigorous testing to ensure safety and operational readiness. First test runs for trams took place at the end of February 2026, and the structure subsequently passed a load test to confirm its stability for public transport use.

The official name of the bridge was approved by Prague city councillors following an online survey of residents, who favored the name Dvorecký Bridge.

The opening is part of a broader effort to strengthen the city’s transport network and create more direct connections across the river. The project concludes a multi-year effort to modernize the infrastructure connecting the districts of Prague 4 and Prague 5.