PRAGUE public transport operator DPP is undertaking a number of major extensions across the city’s light rail network, as well as upgrading part of the existing network.

Construction on an extension of the light rail network from Šídliště Modřany to Libuš in the south of Prague began on April 1, which will provide a connection to the planned metro line D. The 1.7km extension will have four stops, and is due to open in June 2023.

The project is one of four tram extensions in the capital majority funded by the European Union, which also includes the Divoká Šárka - Dědinská and Šídliště Barrandov - Holyně extensions as well as Smyčka Zahradní Město, a tram loop at the new Prague Zahradní Město station. The loop replaces the Nádraží Strašn stop, which was removed in December 2020 after the railway line was realigned.

The network is also being extended in the northwest with a 2.2km double-track line from Divoká Šárka to Dědina, with five stops. The Koruna 84m ($US 3.6m) project is due to begin in the summer and take one-and-a-half years to complete. The project is expected to improve connections to the Dědinská district and a planned residential area around Dnrovská Street. The line will run along the centre of Evropská Avenue before turning onto Vlastina Street and Drnovská Street. A new turning loop for the uni-directional LRVs will be built at the intersection of Drnovská and Dědinská streets.

Plans to connect the area to the Prague light rail network date back to the early 1970s. As well as improving connections for residents, the line is also expected to encourage road users to switch to public transport when commuting into the city.

A 1km extension from Šídliště Barrandov to Holyněin in the suburb of Barrandov opened on April 9, with two stops. The line can only be used by bi-directional LRVs as it doesn’t have a turning loop. The extension is currently only served by Line 4 due to extensive work on the tram junction in Anděl, but will eventually be served by Line 5. A second 400m-long extension, which will take the line to Slivenec, is expected to open in spring 2023.

The Palmovká - Ohrada section of the network was closed for 15 months from March 28, to allow renovations of the 500m-long viaduct. The viaduct, which has a steep gradient, dates from the late 1980s. The renovation will allow LRVs to travel at up to 60km/h.

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