Prague Ring Road Construction to Resume: Completion Expected by 2027

After decades of incomplete construction, the Prague Ring Road, a vital transportation route for the entire country, is finally set to be finished. The southern sections were opened thirteen years ago, but progress on the northern part has been hindered by delays in preparation and legal disputes. However, Martin Kupka, Minister of Transport, has announced that preparations have advanced, and construction on the next segment of the ring road, connecting the D1 and Běchovice, is scheduled to begin next year.

Kupka stated, “By the end of 2027, we will all be able to drive on the first newly constructed section of the Prague Ring Road.”

While the name may imply it is solely for Prague and Central Bohemia, Kupka emphasized that the road is a crucial national communication route, serving all citizens. The completion of the missing sections is seen as an urgent obligation that the country must fulfill.

Preparations for the environmental impact of the construction are well underway, with 70% of the compensatory measures already completed. These measures include noise barriers and other environmental safeguards. The remaining measures are expected to be finished this year, a year ahead of schedule.

The new section, measuring 12.6 kilometers, is the most critical missing part of the national highway network, burdening traffic in the area. Currently, vehicles must pass through the Prague districts of Spořilov and Jižní spojka. According to a 2019 Ministry document, the absence of this section results in social losses of nearly four million crowns per day.

Construction on the Běchovice-D1 section is slated to begin in 2024, while the three northern sections are expected to be completed between 2027 and 2028, according to Jan Studecký, spokesperson for the Road and Motorway Directorate of the Czech Republic.

Although two lawsuits were filed against last year’s zoning decision for section 511, one has been withdrawn, and the other was dismissed by the Regional Court in Ostrava. It is still possible to file a cassation complaint with the Supreme Administrative Court against the verdict.

The Road and Motorway Directorate is continuing preparations, including the selection of companies for tree clearance, as land acquisition nears completion. Kupka emphasized that expropriation of lands would only be considered as a last resort if all attempts at agreement fail.

Once completed, the entire Prague Ring Road is planned to span 83 kilometers. Currently, about half of it is in operation, with the missing sections located in the northern part from Ruzyně via Suchdol, Březiněves, to Černý Most. The long-awaited completion of the Prague Ring Road will significantly improve transportation connectivity and ease traffic congestion in the region.