The construction of the Prague metro section D from Olbrachtova to Nová Dvora has begun.

In recent weeks, Prague has officially begun construction on the second segment of Line D of its metro system, extending from Olbrachtova Street to Nové Dvory. This marks a significant milestone in the city's long-term infrastructure plans, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in the southern part of the capital. The commencement of this phase was marked by a ceremonial event attended by representatives of the city, the public transport company (DPP), and construction firms. Preparation work for this new stage began in April after DPP signed a contract worth approximately thirty billion Czech crowns excluding VAT with a consortium led by the company Subterra.

The project involves constructing tunnels and stations that will connect the existing section of Line D between Pankrác and Olbrachtova with further extensions towards Nové Dvories. The first segment of Line D, which runs from Pankrác to Olbrachtova, started in 2022, and the second segment was originally scheduled to begin in October 2023. However, delays have occurred due to repeated challenges to the tender process by the Antitrust Office (ÚOHS). These legal disputes significantly delayed the start of the project, pushing back the anticipated completion date. Now, DPP expects to launch operations in the second half of 2032 at the very least, specifically in the segment from Pankrác to Nové Dvory.

Construction activities have now commenced at the main site located at the intersection of Libušská and Kunratická streets, where preparations for tunneling into the future station of Nové Dvory are underway. According to information from the company, these preparatory works include deepening the portal of the access tunnel for the excavation of the upcoming station, which is set to begin in mid-August. In addition, builders plan to extend tunnels from Písnice all the way to the Olbrachtova station, constructing three stations with provisional names: Nádraží Krč, Nemocnice Krč, and Nové Dvory.

Following this, additional stations named Libuš, Písnice, and Depo Písnice need to be built. The director of the design firm Metroprojekt, Vladimír Seidl, mentioned that documentation for the Libuš station was submitted in May, suggesting that it could potentially be completed before the first section of the line becomes operational. If everything proceeds smoothly, the stations Libuš and Písnice might be put into service simultaneously with the current segment, likely by the end of 2032.

The delay in starting the second segment of Line D was primarily attributed to legal challenges faced during the tender process at the Antitrust Office. Zdeněk Hřib, chairman of the supervisory board of DPP and former deputy mayor for transport, commented on the situation, noting that unsuccessful bidders had used all possible means to prevent the project from proceeding without them. He also indicated that the Pirates party would likely propose a bill in September to amend the law on public procurement, aiming to prevent similar scenarios in the future.

Adam Scheinherr, leader of the opposition party Sobě and former deputy mayor for transport, criticized the delays in preparing the construction. He pointed out that the current coalition received the prepared public tender ready-made thanks to his efforts during the previous electoral period, but it took the current coalition the entire election period to finalize it. On the other hand, Ondřej Kubín, mayor of Prague 4, praised the start of the construction of Line D, emphasizing its strategic importance for the development of Prague, particularly benefiting residents of the southeastern and southern parts of the city.

Line D is planned to operate with driverless trains, which the DPP is currently seeking through a tender. The results of this tender are expected to be known by 2028 according to the head of the company, Ladislav Urbán. Besides the segment from Pankrác to Písnice, there are plans to extend the line further from Pankrác to Náměstí Míru, with a prospective extension leading all the way to Náměstí Republiky.

At the level of city leadership, discussions are ongoing regarding the naming of the new stations on Line D. A municipal spelling committee recently recommended changing the names of certain stations from their current provisional names. Specifically, the names of the stations Náměstí Bratří Synků, Olbrachtova, Nové Dvory, and Písnice are suggested to be changed to Nusle, Ryšánka, Tempo, and Sídliště Písnice respectively. Names such as Libuš, Nemocnice Krč, Nádraží Krč, Pankrác, and Náměstí Míru are intended to remain unchanged. The final name for the southernmost station of the new line, currently labeled as Depo Písnice, has yet to be decided, with the city council expected to make a decision on the names in July.