Budimex completes work on the barrier on the Polish-Belarusian border

Budimex is the contractor for the 105 km barrier on the Polish-Belarusian border in accordance with the provisions of the contract with the Investor – the Polish Border Guard.  The dam marks part of the eastern border of the European Union and the NATO area. The works began in January this year. and were completed on time.

Budimex was responsible for the construction of a longer, almost 106-kilometre section of the barrier on the border with Belarus. During the past 5 months of intensive works, the following m.in were completed:

• embedding nearly 22,000  concrete foundation piles in the ground,
• the same number (almost 22,000 ) of steel poles were installed,
• More than 22,000  steel spans with a height of 5 and 2.5 m were installed.
• Over 105 km of technological roads were built along the state border.
• This created a physical barrier with a total length of 105.55 km.

“We are the proud contractor of a very unusual infrastructure facility, which we had to build in exceptional conditions, both geopolitical and pandemic, as well as – above all – off-road. Working in the no-go zone, in addition to running through the strictly protected Białowieża Forest, meant for us the implementation of many oversize procedures and a special approach. 200 equipment units and 500 people were involved in the project. They were responsible for m.in. for maintaining the pace of work or full logistics of material deliveries while maintaining full care for the natural environment entrusted to the project for the duration of the investment.  I am glad that the proven team of Budimex professionals has once again proven its skills. – says Artur Popko, President of Budimex S.A.

Being aware of the specificity of the construction site, Budimex additionally decided to use the services of the Contractor’s Environmental Supervision (NPW) on a non-obligatory basis, which before commencing the works thoroughly analysed and consulted with the Directorate of the Białowieża National Park, the Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Białowieża, the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Białystok potential threats and suggested appropriate remedial actions in the environmental protection plan (POŚ). In the course of numerous inspections, the assessment of the environmental safeguards introduced by Budimex was positive, and all suggestions of the administrative authorities were immediately implemented.

In the course of the construction works, Budimex employees protected the flora and fauna (m.in. trees, anthills) and other objects (e.g. places of religious worship) adjacent to the construction site and access roads as much as possible on an ongoing basis from potential damage by heavy equipment. Trees by the access roads were covered with protections that protected them from damage. During the construction, at the request of the commune authorities, the stork nests were also moved so that the birds could function freely in a safe environment.

The construction of the dam was also carried out in an atmosphere of active and constructive dialogue with local government officials of relevant municipalities and districts. Thanks to these consultations, access roads to construction sites were modified. Thanks to the dialogue with local communities, the locations of some storage sites were also changed and additional security measures for local religious sites and natural monuments were introduced.

They were informed about the progress of the works in such a way that they did not constitute an excessive nuisance for the local residents. In towns where the movement of heavy equipment could not be moved outside built-up areas, activities were carried out that will improve the quality of life of the local community and will serve it for the coming years. According to the request of representatives of one of the municipalities, picnic shelters or outdoor gyms will be built.

Places used by Budimex Employees and subcontractors involved, i.e.: Access roads or storage yards are currently being restored to the state from before the start of the works. With the start of construction, a detailed inventory of the area was  made in this area. During the works, representatives of municipalities were assessed on an ongoing basis which roads should be repaired by Budimex so that the investment carried out by the company does not mean degradation of the local infrastructure. The roads that were used  by Budimex under the agreed agreements will soon be restored to the condition from before the start of the investment.