Most back to normal after infrastructure modernisation

On 1 May the interurban tramway between the Czech industrial cities of Most and Litvínov re-opened after the 4 km long overland section between Záluží Chemopetrol and Litvínov nádraží was comprehensively rebuilt and modernised during a two-year engineering block. 

 

Originally the re-launch was already supposed to take place in mid-February 2023, but during initial trials water damage to buried cables was discovered, which required rectification and triggered a nearly 3-month delay.  

 

The infrastructure of the tramway, which opened in stages between 1957 and 1960 and is therefore the Czech Republic's newest light rail system, was last revamped in the 1980s. The now completed project turned out to be more extensive and more expensive than originally planned, because the poor condition of the tram bridges at Záluží Petrochemie required complete replacement rather than partial renovation. As a result, the budget framework increased from around EUR 27.8 million to about EUR 32.3 million and extended the project duration by one year.  

 

The EU has contributed EUR 20.1 million to the project. During the 25-month reconstruction, all tram services between Záluží Chemopetrol and the northern terminus at Litvínov Citadella were suspended and replaced with buses. 

 

With the current reopening of the northern section of the approximately 18.5 km long interurban network, only the first stage of the complete renewal of the overland route has been completed. The modernisation of the southern section between the Most Zimní stadion junction and Záluží Chemopetrol is still outstanding.