The city commissioned a feasibility study for collision-free transport, including the metro in Krakow. One of the analyzed solutions is the construction of a tram line partially running underground.
The study for collision-free communication in Krakow, including the metro, was to be completed by December 16, 2019. However, there is a long delay associated with the creation of the document. Currently, the office informs that the study should be accepted in the first quarter of 2021.
So far, 4 out of 6 stages of the “Feasibility study for the construction of fast, collision-free rail transport in Krakow” were completed.
informs the Office
Implementation of Stage 4
The magistracy emphasizes that as part of the implementation of stage 4, the prepared documentation is the most extensive and thematically diverse part of the document, which includes:
- detailed route mapping for various types of transport and development of a concept along with design drawings;
- rolling stock analysis,
- train traffic control,
- power supply,
- assessment of technologies adopted for implementation,
- preliminary conservation conditions (opinions and arrangements),
- preliminary assessment of legal conditions,
- geological and engineering study, geotechnical opinion and hydrogeological study (e.g. based on field research – 140 research holes were made to a total depth of approx. 4500 m),
- opinions of municipal units and municipal units (including the Road Administration of the City of Krakow, Public Transport Authority in Krakow, Municipal Investments Board in Krakow, Department of Spatial Planning, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Municipal Traffic Engineer).
What are the current technical possibilities?
The main goal of this stage was to determine the technical possibilities of implementing the new means of transport and to indicate the conditions that should be paid special attention to when performing further works. A multi-sector technical analysis allowed to obtain extremely valuable information in the field of technology of works (both route and station sections) and the construction of the geological substrate.
The optimal rolling stock and its parameters for each of the analyzed variants were also indicated. A very important aspect was the design of routes, stations, and stops in such a way as to preserve the unique character of the city. The areas particularly valuable in terms of monument protection were the center of Krakow and Nowa Huta – they add.
Conservation Works underway
Let us recall that in the case of the metro, the connection on the Nowa Huta – city center – Bronowice route was taken into account. In this case, arrangements were made with the conservation authorities as to the location of underground stops in the center. It was found that they could be located under the Mogilskie roundabout, in the vicinity of the Main Railway Station – under the Nowaka-Jeziorański square and under the square at ul. Karmelicka, where there is now an above-ground car park, and a park is to be built by mid-2022.
Multiple variants were taken into account!
One of the analyzed variants is also the construction of another fast tram line, which would partially run in the tunnel.
“The route of this variant coincides with the route of the variant assuming the implementation of the metro line, however, the tunnel section was designed in the central section, where the greatest difficulties occur on the tram network. The rest of the route is overground with partial use of the existing tram tracks (mainly in the Nowa Huta area), and the construction of new overground infrastructure would be partially required” – explains the Office.
How would the tram tunnel route look like?
The central (tunnel) section would run from the Barei roundabout along ul. Lublańska and Pilotów, where it would intersect with the railway line no. 100. Then the route was mapped towards the Mogilskie roundabout, where it would turn west along ul. Lubicz to the area of the railway station, thus creating a large interchange junction (tram, bus, railway) in this place. Next, the route would run along the outline of the Planty (1st ring road), along Rajska and ul. Reymont, where the end of the tunnel section was established.
The proposed stops for the tunnel part are: Polsadu roundabout, Młyńskie roundabout, Olsza, Mogilskie roundabout, Dworzec Główny, Stare Miasto, and Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza.
The May 2014 referendum
Let us recall that in May 2014, the inhabitants of Krakow voted in favor of the construction of the metro in Krakow in a referendum. In September 2018, the city signed an agreement with ILF Consulting Engineers Polska to develop (for PLN 9.4 million) a study for collision-free communication in Krakow, including the metro. The provisions of the contract were such that the document was to be drafted up to 68 weeks from the date of the contract, but no later than December 16, 2019.
News from the Polish article inside Gazeta Krakowska (online).
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug
Recent Comments