Prague moved a step closer to opening its long-awaited Dvorecký Bridge this week, as the first tram crossed the structure linking Smíchov and Podolí. The test run marks one of the final steps before the bridge begins serving passengers in mid-April. Early Wednesday morning, a distinctive orange measuring tram, car No. 5521 — known among transport enthusiasts as “Pomeranč” — rolled onto the newly completed tracks. The vehicle is used to inspect new or modernized tram lines before regular service begins. According to Daniel Šabík, spokesman for the Prague Public Transit Company, the tram tested the newly installed overhead wires and electrically operated switches. Such runs are required before contractors can issue final inspection reports and certify a line for operation. The measuring car checks the height and alignment of overhead wires, the geometry of the tracks, and the behavior of the traction network during movement. Engineers monitor the system’s response in real time to detect any weaknesses before public transport is introduced. The bridge itself has already undergone heavy load testing. In mid-January, eight fully loaded trucks carrying a combined weight of 256 tons drove onto the structure. City officials said the bridge met all expectations during the trials,... The post First Tram Crosses New Dvorecký Bridge as Testing Enters Final Stage appeared first on Prague Morning .