Czech Republic puts road and rail construction on hold
The Czech Republic is now joining the ranks of European countries that are tightening their belts considerably and must make cuts in many areas. Transport infrastructure in the Czech Republic is particularly affected, with planned expansion put on hold for the time being. Until the end of the year and during the first months of next year, no new roads will be built and no new railway tracks laid in the Czech Republic. Along with the area around Prague Airport, the government’s austerity measures are affecting above all numerous railway projects in the Czech Republic. The few exceptions being made to the expansion of transport infrastructure are limited exclusively to upgrades that improve safety on roads and railways.
View of the terminal and control tower at Prague Airport, with taxis outside.
Date: 30/09/2026
The new government in Prague, which has been in office only since July 2010, has approved an austerity package under which the Transport Ministry’s budget alone is to be cut by 17 billion Czech koruna (CZK), equivalent to around 685 million euros. Transport Minister Vit Barta has consequently announced that, under these circumstances, the Czech Republic’s infrastructure cannot be expanded to the planned extent and that the relevant projects will have to be put on hold until at least mid-2011. The original plan was to expand the Czech Republic’s transport infrastructure through a total of 31 projects with a budget of 90 billion CZK (approx. 3.5 billion euros).
The austerity measures affect not only transport routes around Prague, but also cities such as Brno, Olomouc and Prerov. Instead of relocating the main railway station in Brno and laying new tracks towards Usti nad Orlici, as originally planned, residents and tourists will have to make do with the status quo for the time being. The situation is similar in Olomouc and Prerov, where the expansion of transport hubs has been postponed. While construction had already begun in Olomouc and Prerov, the new main railway station in Brno and its associated rail connection to Usti nad Orlici were still in the planning stage.
Kai Rebmann
Photo: Markus Lenk
