The cycle path to the source of the Ohra River was presented to Czech and German cyclists today

Pomezí nad Ohří (Cheb Region) September 20 - In the Cheb Region, a cycle path along the Ohra River to its source, which is 45 kilometers from the Czech-German border in the German region of Smrčina, was ceremonially presented to cyclists today. This was told to Czech press agency by the mayor of Pomezí Radek Tlacil.

In addition to the German cities located on the Ohře River, the Czech cities of Pomezí nad Ohří and Cheb also presented an accompanying program not only for cyclists. Construction of the missing 4.5-kilometer-long section of the cycle path between Pomezí and Cheb began a month ago and should be completed next December. After its opening, cyclists will be able to ride the cycle path continuously for approximately 115 kilometers along the Ohře River, from its source in Germany to Šemnice in the Karlovy Vary Region.

"Originally, both sections were to be built at the same time, both the part from the border to the source of the Ohře and the section from Pomezí to Cheb. The Germans have it finished, they've even been riding for a year, but they're only ceremonially opening the cycle path today. At least construction has finally started here," said Tlačil. According to him, joint negotiations on the connecting German part of the Ohře cycle path, which is the backbone of the Karlovy Vary region, began in 2016. Design and construction were delayed by unsuccessful applications for subsidies and high costs.

"We completed the part that goes through the village in 2019. That is, except for a small section of the route above the casino, where we are waiting for the casino to build a roundabout there," said the mayor. The shared path for pedestrians and cyclists now runs from the source of the Ohře River across the Czech-German border to the end of the cadastral area of ​​the village of Pomezí nad Ohří. There, cyclists have to continue on the road, where fishermen also park and sit, and according to Tlačil, the situation is dangerous.

"The existing road II/606, which is actually a former first class road, along which all traffic left for Germany and came back before the construction of the Cheb bypass, will be narrowed by three meters. The cycle path will be separated from the road by a green belt. Cars will still have a comfortable passage of 3.5 meters in each direction on the Cheb - Pomezí road," said the director of the Regional Administration and Road Maintenance of the Karlovy Vary Region, Jiří Šlachta.

The construction is being carried out by the MI Road company for 41.3 million crowns, the costs are shared by the Karlovy Vary Region, the city of Cheb, a European subsidy from the Integrated Regional Operational Program, and the State Transport Infrastructure Fund will also contribute. The cycle path will be complemented by rest areas with benches and a gazebo, with bicycle racks and information boards. There will also be new bus stops and a parking strip for 42 cars near Podhoří, and the builders will also modify the entrances to the gardening colony and the car park.

On the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the German part of the cycle path along the Ohře River, cycle buses left Cheba today to its source. People could also take advantage of guided tours. In Pomezí, majorettes performed and a musical screening was also provided in the church. Several Czech-German guided tours of the historic city center took place in Cheb. In the German cities of Bad Weissenstadt, Röslau, Marktleuthen, Kaiserhammer, Hebanz, Blumenthal and Hohenberg an der Eger, cyclists could enjoy abundant refreshments and also listen to musical performances; the event continues in the evening and on Sunday.

Czech press agency | WT.24