A crucial development has emerged in the construction of the second section of Prague’s Metro D, between Olbrachtova and Nové Dvory, as the Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS) has recently given the green light to the geotechnical monitoring and construction passportization contract. While the commencement date of construction remains uncertain, this approval paves the way for integral preparatory work.

The approved contract includes passportization, a process also known as technical mapping, which is a prerequisite before excavation can begin. This involves a thorough assessment of existing buildings and structures around the construction site to capture their current condition. The purpose is to facilitate future comparisons and identify any changes that may occur during the construction phase.

In the designated “influence zone,” the focus of passportization will be on evaluating the technical condition of buildings. In the event of damages, property owners can request adequate repairs or compensation from the investor, in this case, the transport company.

Geotechnical monitoring is another key aspect of the approved contract, involving the measurement of points to regularly or continuously monitor and evaluate the condition of constructions. This includes tracking the behavior of the excavated tunnels and surrounding rock masses, providing crucial insights into the stability of the construction.

Petr Witowski, the head of the transport company, emphasized that this approval represents a significant stride in the construction of Metro D. Despite challenges and controversies surrounding the large 30 billion crown contract, awarded to Subterra, a part of the Metrostav conglomerate, the company has been operating in accordance with the law.

The construction work below the surface began about twenty months ago, with the successful excavation of the Pankrác-Olbrachtova section. However, work on the second section was temporarily halted due to concerns over the tender process. The contract, awarded last September, faced controversy as the Antimonopoly Office excluded a cheaper bid from an association of companies, leading to additional expert opinions and delays. According to the preliminary schedule, the operational Metro D is expected to extend to Písnice in the south of Prague by 2029.

Article by Prague Forum