Digging to begin on new Prague metro line

The first CZK 1.28bn of an estimated CZK 57bn to be spent building a new metro line between Pankrac to Pisnice will go towards archaeological surveys, with digging expected to begin over the summer. The shafts that will be excavated and underground areas that are created during the study in numerous locations along the route will not be filled in once completed, writes writes Lidove noviny, but rather will be used during the construction of the actual metro. The work is likely to go forward even though the city's transportation company DPP is still deep in negotiations with land owners at the future stations, with countless land swap deals and acquisitions still due to be carried out. DPP will be holding design competitions to beautify the stations to be built during the first phase of building in response to criticism over the bland architectural quality evident in the designs. The second phase of construction will see the D-line metro extended to náměstí Míru. For one of the planned stations Náměstí bratří Synků, the city is planning to hold an architectural competition.