– I don't intend to get into unnecessary negotiations, we are just building a subway, – says Prof. Andrzej Szarata, the head of this institution and rector of the Krakow University of Technology, after the first meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council for the construction of the subway. The experts who should consult President Alexander Miszalsky on this issue have been divided into working groups. At the moment, one thing is certain: the course of the six-kilometer tunnel under the city center should not be changed.
This council was appointed by the mayor at the end of September. In the second half of October, the first meeting of the group, which includes scientists from various fields of science and higher schools, was held. Alexander Miszalsky presented nominations to the council members.
The construction board of the subway started working krakow.pl
21 specialists plan to discuss investment-related issues at least once a quarter. Chairman of the council prof. Andrzej Szarata, rector of the Krakow University of Technology, presented the history of work on the subway in Krakow since 2014 at the first meeting. – After that, the first serious study was developed, which comprehensively considered this topic, – explains the scientist in an interview with tvn24.pl, adding that the document includes “more than 150 scenarios” about the construction of the subway.
Also read: “We can call everything metro and this solution will also be important.” What is traveling near Krakow?
– Its authors showed that underground communication is necessary in Krakow, – he emphasizes.
Prof. Sarata also suggested that task groups be formed in the structures of the council. – After a very general explanation of what happened in Krakow during the last 10 years, we moved on to the discussion. The professors clearly emphasized that the subject is very broad, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, – says our interlocutor.
Labor forces
Therefore, the task of the thematic teams is to work on specific decisions necessary for the implementation of funding.
– When we talk about geological aspects, our colleagues from AGH take the lead. They have rich experience in this field. These are the issues of tunnel drilling, what material we will drill, what technology should be chosen, – explains prof. Sharata. He adds: – The second aspect is financial issues, which is done by a group of professors of the University of Economics. The next topic is the social communication strategy, that is, how to inform the residents about the activities.
The construction board of the subway started working krakow.pl
On this subject, Dr. Eng. Jerzy Lake, president of the management board of Metro Warszawskie. – President Lake clearly emphasized that it may not be so important at the first stage, but when the construction begins, it will become a social message of great importance, because difficulties will arise, the very fact of the work of the tunnel drilling equipment will appear. affect the environment to some extent. Therefore, transparency and sensitivity in information to residents is very important. It explains why the turns are made like that, the organization of traffic around the construction site and what safety measures were used during the work, explains the professor. Sharata.
Another element, as explained by our interviewee, is construction technology and technical aspects related to investment. A team has been organized to work in the rolling stock itself.
– We also have a team of architects. Cultural heritage is a topic that will also be discussed. The historical importance of the city of Krakow and its presence on the UNESCO list are very subtle things. This also shows how difficult this investment is and what great difficulties Krakow will face, – says the rector of the Krakow University of Technology.
The next meeting of the council will be held on December 2, the main topic of which has not yet been chosen.
“All solutions are on the table”
When asked when a decision will be made regarding specific technical solutions and means of transport, our interlocutor categorically states that “he does not intend to enter into useless discussions about whether it is the metro, before the metro or the tram”. – We are only building a subway, but the method of solving it and what will be found there, it will be an enterprise or not, the moving vehicle will be raised three meters or two and a half meters, it doesn't matter to me. . This is because it will be subject to financial analysis. Money plays the main role. If we have certain opportunities for solutions, they will be realized, and if we don't have the opportunity, we will look for others, – says prof. Sharata. But he adds that “in this case, basically all solutions are on the table” and the final decision will be made by the mayor.
The construction board of the subway started working krakow.pl
However, the metro route is almost certain. – The number of stations may change, but this will be subject to strict technical analysis. The corridor itself, and above all the six-kilometer tunnel under the center of Krakow, has already been identified. According to my information, each change has a cosmetic nature, informs the Rector of the Technological University.
A financial analysis that will determine the shape of Krakow's underground transport should be carried out early next year.
– We need to show how the city wants to make all the investments and where the funds will come from. But what happens when the subway starts working. This is also a very important message from experts – the presentation of how the operation of the metro affects the city's budget, because such a means of transport is only expensive, – explains our interviewee. He also reminds that in Krakow the ticket revenue covers about 40 percent. the cost of using public transport – and this is “one of the best cases in the country”. – But this still means that 60 percent should be added from the city budget – he adds.
Read also: Krakow metro is waiting. The EU will provide funds for the first step
Krakow like Warsaw? Not really
Our interviewee warns not to compare the progress of the metro construction in Warsaw with the investment in Krakow. -The history of the Warsaw metro dates back to the interwar period, and besides, Warsaw is the capital and financial center of Poland, so it's really hard to compare. – says prof. Sharata.
The first resolution on the construction of the Warsaw metro was adopted in 1925. Design work began in the mid-1970s and construction began in the early 1980s, with the first passengers using the then-widened M1 line in 1995. After 13 years, the construction of the first phase was completed. The construction of the second line of the Warsaw metro continued from 2010 to 2019.
Prof. In an interview with tvn24.pl, Szarata states that it does not make much sense to rely on the history of the capital's underground railway when analyzing the situation in Krakow. – This process has started (in Warsaw – ed.) and therefore has a certain momentum. For example, comparing the second line of the Warsaw metro line with the first line of Krakow is completely unreasonable, he says.
Construction of the subway in Krakow
Plans for the construction of the subway are currently awaiting an environmental decision. However, such a decision cannot be made by the Krakow executive committee, because the property of the mayor's parents and his deputy is located within the scope of planned investments or close to it. Therefore, the Local Government Appeals Board decided on Thursday that the environmental decision should be issued by the municipality of Oswiecim.
– Oświęcim Commune will receive from SKO the documents drawn up at the request of the Municipal Investment Council, which will allow it to start the next stage of the administrative procedure, which includes the submission of reports for the approval of the three authorities, – explained the president. Miszalsky. As he emphasized, this action does not affect the schedule of construction of the subway in Krakow.
As the city authorities announced, the first stage includes the construction of the 6-kilometer middle section of the first east-west line, which runs from Rondo Mlinskie to ul. Piastovska. In the next stages, the line will be extended to the east – to the Krzeslawiecki hills in Nowa Huta and to the northwest – near ul. Jasnogorska in Bronovice. In total, the first line should be about 26 km long and cost about PLN 13 billion. The moving media is expected to cost around PLN 1.5 billion.
Map of the first stage of the metro line (central section) Krakow City Hall
The estimated cost of the implementation of the first part of 6 km is about PLN 3 billion, and it is financed from the state budget, EU funds and the city budget.
In the 2014 referendum, residents voted in favor of building a subway in Krakow (55.11 percent yes).
Main photo source: krakow.pl
