29.03.2022
This is the most important tram investment in Warsaw. In less than two years, the inhabitants of the capital will cover the route from Wilanów to the city centre in less than 30 minutes.
– As announced, we have found additional funds for this important investment. At the last session, councillors granted PLN 200 million for the recapitalisation of the company and it was possible to sign a contract for the construction of a tram to Wilanów. The new route will allow the residents of this district to quickly and conveniently reach the center on green tracks, and as many as 488 trees will appear along the route. The cost of construction is over PLN 685 million. But we will receive EU funding for it. Friendly Warsaw is easily accessible public transport, which is why we will gradually expand the tram network in the capital. We are already working on the documentation for the tram along Pole Mokotowskie and Modlińska and the construction projects of the route to Gocław and Zielona Białołęka – says Rafał Trzaskowski, the president of m.st. Warsaw.
“This is one of the largest tram investments currently being implemented in Poland and at the same time a great step towards the development of low-emission public transport in Warsaw. We have extensive experience in conducting tram investments. In recent years, we have successfully built new tram lines in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Kraków and Olsztyn” – says Artur Popko – President of Budimex SA.
“The end date of this investment in the basic scope is the end of January 2024. The commencement of works is scheduled within 5 months from the date of signing the contract. As part of the basic task, we will build 8 km of tram line and 4 turnouts. The scope of work includes, m.in, construction of drainage, reconstruction of the rainwater and sanitary sewage system, water supply, gas pipeline, heat pipeline, reconstruction of the power and teletechnical networks, construction of the overhead contact line, construction of lighting, reconstruction of traffic lights and construction of three traction substations” – says the President of Budimex.
Our experience in the implementation of contracts throughout Poland confirms that we keep our promises and build with respect for the needs of our stakeholders. We have extensive experience in the implementation of contracts in cities, in which the adaptation of the construction area to changes in traffic organization plays a key role. This is also how we carry out other investments in the capital: the construction of the Vistula collector for MPWiK, the Warszawa Zachodnia station, along with an underground tram stop, or the construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Vistula.” – adds Artur Popko.
Budimex is the largest Polish construction company with over fifty years of tradition, employing 7 thousand people. Since 1995, the company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and since 2011 it has been included in the index of the most responsible listed companies. Budimex constructs every fifth kilometre of expressways in Poland, and is also currently the largest contractor in the railway construction segment.
What will the tram to Wilanów be like?
The new route will start at the intersection of ul. Puławska and Goworka. The reconstruction will also include the existing section of the tram route from Rakowiecka Street to Unii Lubelskiej Square. The tram will overcome the 22-metre difference in level towards the lower Mokotów district along Goworka and Spacerowa Streets. Then the line will run straight, along Belwederska and Sobieskiego streets, in the direction of Miasteczko Wilanów. The terminal intended for two-way trams will be located at the intersection of al. Rzeczpospolita and Branicki.
Two branches are planned for the route. The first of them will run along Gagarina Street up to Czerniakowska Street – it is a separate investment carried out by Warsaw Trams and the Municipal Water and Sewage Company. On this section, trams will end at the terminal for two-way trams.
Stops on the new route will be adapted to the needs of people with disabilities and will be equipped with electronic information boards with timetables (boards connected to a satellite system calculating the time of tram travel online). In total, as many as 31 stops will be built. A green wave system will operate along the entire route, thanks to which trams will not have to wait in front of intersections for a green light. As part of the project, three new traction substations will be built, including the first underground substation in Warsaw. Their task will be to provide trams with electricity.
Travel time
The new route means a lot of time savings for those residents of Wilanów who commute to the center of Warsaw. The tram ride from this district to the Centrum metro station will take about 30 minutes. For comparison, drivers now have to spend up to 45 minutes to cover the same route during rush hour!
Terms
The contractor, Budimex, will have 22 months to build the route in its basic scope, i.e. from Puławska Street to the intersection with Św. Boniface.
An option, which Warsaw Trams can decide on within 10 months of signing the contract, is to bring the entire route to Wilanów, to the intersection with Branickiego Street. The contractor will have a total of 21 months to build the routes as an option.
In mid-March, the city council of St. Petersburg. Warsaw Trams decided to recapitalize Warsaw Trams with the amount of PLN 200 million, which will be used for the construction of a tram to Wilanów. The total price of the investment is PLN 685.424 million.
Green tracks
During the construction of the tram route to Wilanów, green track technology will be used. The new track will be planted with sedum – a plant that is resistant to higher temperatures and does not require watering. The total length of the green tracks on the route to Wilanów will exceed 10 km. Today, there are over 25 km of green tracks in Warsaw. Tram drivers paid attention to greenery in the project of the tram to Wilanów. Some solutions have never been used before during the construction of tram routes. Trees will appear on some of the platforms – these will be linden trees. By the tracks – linden trees and plane trees, specially formed trees will be planted in narrower places. A total of 488 trees will be planted along the tram route to Wilanów. The parameters of the trees will be in line with the standards of shaping Warsaw’s greenery.
Tracks, depots and trams
The construction of the tram route is part of a project co-financed by the European Union under the OPI&E 2014-2020. It also includes the purchase of 50 new low-floor trams, the construction of a depot in Annopol and the installation of passenger information boards at stops. The official name of the project is: Construction of a tram route to Wilanów along with the purchase of rolling stock and accompanying infrastructure. Its total cost is PLN 1 billion 190 million, with EU funding of PLN 555 million.
Tram investments in the capital
The construction of the tram to Wilanów is only a part of the tram investment program for Warsaw.
At the beginning of the month, the construction of the tram to Kasprzaka began – a new tram route that will connect the new housing estates in Wola with the city centre. Tram drivers have signed a contract for a technical study needed to build a tram at ul. Modlińska Street and announced a tender for the design of a tram along Pole Mokotowskie.
In September last year, a tram to Winnica in Białołęka was launched. Warsaw Trams has already handed over the site for the construction of a new depot in Annopol to the contractor. The first of the 123 newly ordered Hyundai trams are already transporting Warsaw residents.
Work is underway on construction projects for further tram routes – including the route to Gocław. Environmental decisions are also being obtained for the construction of routes to Zielona Białołęka and al. Wilanowska Street.
