Slower and dearer. The railway administration has completed the reconstruction of the railway station in Beroun

Berounské nádraží is one of the busiest stations in the Central Bohemia region, with around 6,000 passengers passing through it every day. The aim of the modernization was primarily to revitalize the entire building and increase travel comfort.

“All the networks, heating, ventilation systems, insulation of the skins have been reconstructed, and we also have innovative elements here, including the interior,” said Jiří Svoboda, director general of the Railway Administration.

The passenger spaces and the facilities of the existing operations have been modernized. The work included a new facade and its insulation, replacement of windows and doors, modification of the surfaces of floors, walls and ceilings, as well as a general repair of the roof. A new cooling and air exchange system was installed throughout the building complex.

“Major layout changes have taken place in the departure hall, thanks to which more shops have been added here. The result of the reconstruction is also the expansion of the information and camera system,” he added.

Half of the space in the administrative buildings will be used by employees of the Railway Administration, the rest will be rented out. All commercial premises are already leased. However, only the newsagent is still in operation at the station.

The reconstruction of the station was originally planned for two years, but it lasted four. It started in 2020, the last works were completed only now.

“When we intervene in older buildings, we are always unpleasantly surprised by networks, sewers and everything related to that. New elements such as photovoltaics were still coming in, so preparations were being made for that. In addition, the interior was remodeled several times,” explained Svoboda.

The railway station in Beroun has also undergone reconstruction of tracks, platforms and underpasses. It ended in 2020. “The construction of elevators, which ensured barrier-free access to the trains, also benefited passengers. In addition, a modern bus terminal serves the public in the area in front of the station,” added Minister of Transport Martin Kupka from ODS.

The total costs of the construction amount to 391 million crowns, part of which was covered by the European Union.

However, Středočeský Beroun is not the only station boasting a new building. The repair of the station in Vsetín ended last week. The reconstruction of the terminal there cost 3.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive in the Czech Republic.

Another reconstruction, this time of the České Budějovice train station, ended with delay and for more money. The final amount rose to more than a billion crowns without tax. At the same time, the costs were originally calculated at about 690 million without tax. The builders were surprised by the condition of the building.

According to the original reports of the Railway Administration, the railway station was supposed to be reconstructed at the end of 2022. However, the ceremonial opening of the entrance hall and the passage was held only in February this year. “We were pleasantly surprised by the condition of the foundation of this building, as well as the high groundwater level. One of the towers had such a degradation after the Second World War and was repaired so inappropriately that we were in for much bigger interventions,” Jiří Svoboda, director of the Railway Administration, explained the reasons for the increase in the price of the construction.

The Railway Administration is currently renovating 65 station buildings. For example, buildings in Ostrava-Vítkovice, Lovosice, Jaroměř, Bečov nad Teplou, Čáslav, Jihlava, Hlinsk in Bohemia or Ústí nad Labem-Strěkov await total renovation in 2024. A completely new building will then be built at the main station in Mladá Boleslav. In Prague, Masarykovo and Smíchovské nádraží are being rebuilt. This year, the Railway Administration will have a budget of 57.5 billion crowns.

The reconstruction of the Smíchov railway station has begun. It will take five years

Homemade

The transformation of Masaryk Station has begun. It is spanned by a platform as big as Malostranské náměstí

Homemade