Construction of the tram line on ul. Ratajčaka and reconstruction of Hrobrego Bridge – these are two investments that should start in Poznań this autumn. Both the renovation work in the center and the work related to the main crossing over the Warta River make life and movement around the city more difficult for Poznań residents. Officials say it is impossible to arrange a different work schedule and explain why.
Last year, the reconstruction of tram routes was completed along with the calming of traffic on the streets: Św. Marcin, Fredri, Mieljinskiego, 27 Grudnya, p. Volnoschi, Tovarova. At the same time, a short section was built on the street. Ratajczaka – between Plac Wolności and ul. Saint Martin. However, now only tourist lines use this section.
“In recent years, we have already done a lot to make life in Poznan more pleasant, but we have a lot of work ahead of us,” President Jacek Jaszkowiak said at the beginning of January.
Key investments that will begin in 2025 include: the construction of a tram route and traffic calming on ul. Ratajcak and reconstruction of the brave bridge.
Trouble at an important intersection in the center
Construction of the tram route on ul. Ratajczaka is the latest component of the Center Project, which has been underway for several years – a comprehensive revitalization of the city center. It includes reconstruction of the street between ul. Malika Jadwiga and Stanislav Mati and ul. St. Marcin, including the replacement of underground infrastructure and the construction of tramways in both directions. The investment has PLN 100 million of EU funding and will last for about two years. – The construction tender has started, we want the work to start in the fall and the investment to be completed within 600 working days. We hope that everything will be ready in the second half of 2027, said Vice President of Poznań Mariusz Wisniewski. He emphasized that earlier the construction of the tramway on the section of ul. Ratajczaka between ul. 27 Grudnya a ul. St. Marcin guarantees that during the currently planned construction there will be no need to close the already completed intersection at ul. Saint Marcin. – The reconstruction phase, including the laying of roads at the intersection of Wierzbiče, Mati and Krolovej Jadwigi, which is important for city traffic, will certainly be difficult. We assume that, despite the completion of the works, tram traffic will continue there at least on one route, he noted.
After the renovation, UM Poznań trams will run on Ratajczak Street
Residents and businesses are concerned
Planned reconstruction of ul. Ratajczak has already caused concern among residents and businesses, who fear noise, access problems and reduced customer numbers. Ratajčaka Street runs from Wolności Square almost to Poznań Glowny railway station. “On the road” is the famous Apollo cinema and Stary Brovar. Plans include closing the entire street during the works. – These works must be started because the whole project must be completed. We cannot afford to lose PLN 100 million in funding. This line is of strategic importance. When we complete the line from Naramowice, it will be possible to travel quickly between Debiec, Wilda and the city center, as well as Winograd and Naramowice without the need to go through the Kaponiera roundabout. Of course, like any investment of this type, we will replace the underground technical infrastructure, which is important for the safety of residents and the comfort of life, – Vishnevsky said.
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The project is intended to calm traffic on the street. RatajczakaUM Poznań
They do not want to delay the brave money
In the autumn, reconstruction works of the Khrobry bridge – one of the main crossings of the Varta River – will begin in the city. Vishnevsky noted that this work cannot be delayed. The conclusion of the examination carried out by specialists shows that the technical condition of the bridge is bad. It was built in the mid-1960s and completely renovated in 1989. – Experts from the Poznań University of Technology show that money can be used for one year, maybe two years – with full control. However, we prefer to start rebuilding the money on our own terms, before something happens or we suddenly have to close the money overnight and implement some emergency plans – said Mariusz Wisniewski. It is necessary to demolish the old passage and build a new one. During the work, the bridge will be partially passable, but the tram will not run. The work will last up to three years.
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“Investments show that Poznań residents are willing to accept inconvenience”
– The term of work in Ratajczaka is impossible – we depend on the funds of the European Union. We also do not want to jeopardize the safety of Poznań residents traveling over the Hrobri Bridge. We do not want to repeat the recent situation in Dresden, where the bridge was destroyed. That’s why these two investments coincided, – explained the representative of the city authorities. The vice-president of Poznań admitted that difficult months await the residents of Poznań. – However, recent large and difficult investments have shown that the inhabitants of Poznań accept discomfort when they see what the outcome of the work will be. This was the case with the expensive renovation of Poznań’s fast tram, the route on the upper terrace of Rataj or the modernization of the Old Market Square, Wisniewski said.
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Main image source: Shutterstock
