From the capital to the former capital by expressway. On Monday, for the first time, it was possible to drive on the two-lane road between Krakow and Warsaw without traffic lights. The road builders put the last unused section of the S7 in Malopolska into operation. This is the end, but the beginning… of further investments. In the next year, drivers will get several hundred kilometers of new routes. The construction of a record tunnel under the Oder is also planned. The road builders also plan B. Correspondent of “Polska i Shvyat” magazine Lukasz Wieczorek tells about specifics.
The Kraków-Warsaw expressway was opened. Important not only for residents of both cities. – For tourists traveling between Łódź and Warsaw, – said Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure, at the opening.
The most important road funding this year
Łódź is not Krakow. You may be confused, there are so many new ways.
– We have already opened several important expressways, as well as new sections of the A2 highway near Siedlsee. However, none of them were as important for communication and transportation, Klimczak noted.
Road workers have opened the last section of the S7 between Warsaw and Krakow. Drivers will finally be able to drive the entire route planned for Euro 2012.
– Starting today, we will go to Warsaw in 2.5 hours. From today, the ring around Krakow is not full, but almost full, – said Alexander Misalski, the mayor of Krakow.
The section of the route S7 Widoma – Krakow has been opened for traffic
Delay in road construction in Krakow
Together with the S7 section, road builders opened the northern section of the Krakow Ring Road. But the entrance to the city does not change much. The key part of Mistrzejewice is not ready yet. What happened to this organ that it had to be rebuilt?
“The entire preparation process took so long that the data we relied on traffic data became outdated,” said Simon Pichowiak, Head of National Roads and Highways.
As Ian Jackil, road construction expert, JKO Consulting, notes, “a mistake was made at the design stage, the traffic forecast was prepared.” – However, the microsimulation of the movement of traffic has not been developed to show the behavior of drivers in specific lanes in detail, – he pointed out.
The project was changed and construction was delayed.
– Next year, we will put another section of this roundabout into use. Thus, in the middle of 2026, the ring around Krakow will be closed, and Krakow will be the second Polish city after Łódź with a complete ring, – announced the Minister of Infrastructure.
Road plans for 2025
Road builders have big plans for next year. They want to give drivers about 400 kilometers of new routes. This includes the A2 from Siedlce to Biala Podlaska, the S7 along the Tricity and further crossings of smaller towns of over 100 towns. These are just a few of them.
Szymon Pichowiak assures that although “currently drivers are benefiting from five investments implemented within the framework of this program, there will be dozens more in the coming year.”
– I believe when I drive it, not when I hear the announcement – Jakil said. – Please remember that two years ago, when the National Road Construction Program was announced, it was estimated that the construction of all roads and highways would be completed in 2033. At the time of its announcement, it was already known that it was unrealistic. – he pointed.
The problems include, among other things, the beginning of the construction of the eastern bypass of Warsaw. Debate over the route continues. The investment is pending in the courts. Road builders plan B.
– I think, in early January, we will be able to provide complete information about the direction we are taking and what ideas we have for it, – Director Pavel Wozniak said recently during the conference. National Highways Directorate.
The road builders around Szczecin also have ideas and the construction of the western part of the city is getting closer. As Piechowiak told the TVN24 reporter, “just a few days ago, we announced three tenders.”
– This investment with the longest tunnel, which is more than 5 kilometers under the Oder, is estimated at about 7.5 billion PLN, – said Stanislav Bukovec, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, during the conference on the state of road investments.
The entire Szczecin ring, including the tunnel, should be ready by 2032. Unless something else comes up along the way.
Main photo source: PAP
