Aktualności

We have just ended another month of works on the construction of the tram route to Mistrzejowice. In January, we focused on the construction of the “Polsadu Roundabout” station and the rebuilding of the Sudół Dominikański watercourse. What else have we accomplished?

On January 4 and 18, a Construction Council session was held. It was attended by representatives of the Private Partner and Local Government Entities, including the District Councils of Districts III Prądnik Czerwony and XV Mistrzejowice. Residents also showed up.  

Pending their evaluation and approval, in early January, we presented residents with documentation showing the temporary traffic organization (stage 2.3). However, please remember the design is not yet final. It is currently subject to the opinion of ZDMK, ZTP, MPK and the Police and the approval of the City Traffic Engineer. More

Responding to notifications and the needs of drivers, as of 11 January we have modified the current temporary traffic organization. These changes covered a section of Lublańska Street and Bora-Komorowskiego Avenue. More

In mid-January, we received from the Office of the City of Kraków a decision to modify the scope of Change Order no. 4. We could therefore return to implementing the project in the area of Lublańska Street: in accordance with the ZRID decision issued. More

In the second half of the month, we began embedding the first prefabricated elements for the construction of the Sudół Dominikański watercourse. The new canal will be about 400 meters long and will consist of 191 reinforced concrete prefabricated elements.  Read more

What’s up in February?

Since the beginning of February, our Information Center has been operating longer. On Mondays we are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on other weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You are welcome! More

At the end of February we plan to introduce temporary traffic organization – stage 2.3. On Lublańska Street traffic between Polsadu Roundabout and Barei Roundbaout will be on the western carriageway only: where one traffic lane will be designated for each direction. In addition, vehicle traffic from and to Bora-Komorowskiego Avenue will be redirected to the temporary intersection with Lublańska Street at the height of the exit from Promienistych Street. More

In terms of tunnel construction works, we will continue building the “Polsadu Roundabout” station and begin mobilization of a new bentonite station for geotechnical work at the Młyńskie Roundabout. Additional slurry wall deepening equipment will soon arrive there. We will continue to work on the construction of more technology platforms. We will also begin work under the Iżyckiego Flyover. 

We will also continue working on the new channel of the Sudół Dominikański and reconstructing underground networks.

The tram route to Mistrzejowice is much more than just laying tracks between the existing terminus in Mistrzejowice and the intersection of Mogilska and Jana Pawła II Streets. It also involves the redevelopment of as much as 335 kilometers of existing infrastructure.

Redeveloping underground infrastructure in a large city is a complex process that requires efforts by many specialists. In the northern part of Kraków, it includes upgrades to the water, heating, sewage, gas, electricity and teletechnical networks as well as the redevelopment of the Sudół Dominikański watercourse. Their total length is as much as 335 kilometers. The redevelopment is necessary to provide residents with access to safe and sustainable infrastructure.  

Types of networks to be rebuilt: 

Water supply networks – 5.23 kilometers, 

District heating networks – 1.02 kilometers, 

Sewerage networks – 9.41 kilometers, 

Gas networks – 2.92 kilometers, 

Sudół Dominikański – 0.39 kilometers. It is an underground river which we described here,

Electricity networks – 45.54 kilometers, 

Telecommunications networks – 270.56 kilometers. 

Redeveloping underground infrastructure is a complex process that requires precise planning and coordination of activities. The work is carried out with the highest safety standards and takes place in stages. Once a new element is completed (for example, a trunk pipe made of ductile iron), the old infrastructure is repiped and then dismantled. Currently, the focus is on creating new underground infrastructure. The repiping is planned for the off-season. 

Underground networks are mainly placed under sidewalks, bike paths and in green belts. This allows easy access to installations during repair or maintenance work. In the case of repairs, this does not require disturbing the road surface, which minimizes disruption to traffic.

Routing of underground networks in proximity to buildings

The KST IV Information Center is for the residents. That’s why, starting 5 February it will be open on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on other weekdays. You are welcome!

The Information Center is near the intersection of Dobrego Pasterza and Strzelców Streets. It is the immediate vicinity of our site office and almost halfway along the tram route under construction. Residents will find here detailed information about the course of the investment, including construction technology, work schedule, progress and current traffic organization.

Residents can contact the center by email at: info@tramwajdomistrzejowic.pl and by phone: 722 22 00 88 (Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm).

See you there!

Building a tunnel involves adapting the area to new transportation needs. In the case of the Tramway to Mistrzejowice, one of the biggest challenges is the reconstruction of the Sudół Dominikański. It involves modifying the shape and course of the river and adapting it to the new development. 

The existing section of the Sudół Dominikański watercourse will be demolished: from the Młyńska Street/Macieja Miechowity Street intersection to the connection with the canal running from the Młyńskie Roundabout to the Prądnik River. The tram tunnel will be built in the footprint of the old segment. Water will be routed under the western roadway of Młyńska Street, parallel to the decommissioned route. The length of the reconstructed canal will be 388.65 meters (or about 400 meters including chambers).

Another important aspect is the appropriate selection of construction materials and implementation technology. The aim is to ensure durability and watertightness and to support works made in urban conditions in accordance with the schedule. The new canal consists of 191 reinforced concrete precast elements with internal dimensions of 3.00 x 2.25 x 2 m. Each one weighs 10.8 tons: that’s as much as 200 capybaras! Each element is embedded in a specially prepared excavation, protected in advance by a casing made of Larsen watertight sheet piling in the light of the new channel. It is then precisely assembled into the remaining segments.  

At the end of last week we began embedding the first prefabricated elements and have already completed 24 meters of the new canal!

A Larsen sheet piling is a steel structure used in geotechnical engineering to stabilize slopes, embankments or excavations.

In reference to the works made under the decision of the City of Kraków on the modification of Change Order no. 4, the following is the Contractor’s position on their progress.

Yesterday we continued cutting down trees and bushes on the western side of Lublańska Street: between the Barei Roundabout and the Polsadu Roundabout. The works were made by the kindergarten.

Trees and shrubs with insignificant girths there are unevenly bushy. They have heavily overgrown and tangled crowns. Some of the tree branches go over the kindergarten fence and lean towards the kindergarten area.

We worked under constant supervision of our managers and in full compliance with health and safety rules. The site was fenced off from public access. We were also in constant contact with the headmistress of the kindergarten.

As I mentioned, a branch of the tree located at the height of the end of the last span (the very corner of the kindergarten area) at the south side of the fence was directly over the fence.

Our employees lowered this branch to the fence in a controlled manner, and then manually placed it over the fence. There were no children in the vicinity, and our staff watched over the entire technological process of felling.

The entire fence of the kindergarten running along Lublańska Street (parallel to it) is scheduled for dismantling, so there is no question of harm to third parties here. At present, the fence is still performing its function. It is tight and has not been damaged. We will notify the management of the kindergarten about its removal with due notice.

During today’s seventh construction council, involving the residents, issues were raised about how to implement the project in the Lublańska Street area. In August last year, the Mayor of Kraków declared that changes postulated by residents would be made to the KSTIV design, within the framework of the ZRID decision. Today, after the Private Partner has presented the results of financial, formal and technical analyses, we can confirm that 10 of the 11 changes will be introduced into the design.

For 10 of the proposed changes, there is a possibility that they will be made, without affecting the completion date of the task. In the case of the correction on Lublańska Street, from Polsadu Roundabout to Barei Roundabout, on the west side, there is no such possibility. After consultations with the institutions responsible for supervising the investment, the decision was made to implement it in accordance with the ZRID decision issued.

The cost of the works in this area was estimated at PLN 6 million. In addition, the city would have to cover the cost of financing the loan associated with the extension of the project: at about PLN 10 million per month. Taking into account the time needed for corrections to the documentation, re-agreements and the procedure for the decision itself, the designer estimated the time to obtain the decision at about 6 months. This means an increase in the cost of the project by PLN 50-60 million.

On the other hand, adjustments will be made to the width of lanes and the type of replacement plantings. The space obtained by narrowing the inner lanes to a width of 3 meters will be used for greenery development on the outside. The standards of designed plantings will be raised – the circumference of trees will be 20-24 cm, or more, if possible. Species that do well in urban conditions will be used. In addition, the designer’s proposal allows to make tree plantings in two planes, which will result in the balance of greenery will not change and its quality will increase significantly. A reserve will be left to allow the introduction of noise barriers if necessary.

Once again, we assure you that, together with the Private Partner, we are making every effort to respond to the expectations of residents that we are aware of. We encourage you to contact us through the information center and hotline. We will do our best to answer your questions.

On YouTube, you will find transcripts of the construction councils, with detailed explanations by the people in charge of the investment on the adjustments made, the scope of the investment and the current progress of the work.

tel. 722 22 00 88 (Monday–Friday, 08.00 – 16.00)

e-mail: info@tramwajdomistrzejowic.pl

www.tramwajdomistrzejowic.pl

VII Rada Budowy tramwaju do Mistrzejowic, KST4 w dn. 18.01.2024, Dzielnica III i Dzielnica
Source: ZDMK.pl

The sixth month of work on the construction of the tram route to Mistrzejowice is behind us.  In December, we continued the construction of the “Polsadu Roundabout” station and the new channel of the Sudół Dominikański watercourse. What else kept us busy?

In December, exceptionally due to the holiday period, we held only one Construction Council with the participation of the public. At the meeting, residents were able to learn about the changes in the Lublańska Street design and talk to representatives of the Private Partner and Local Government Entities about issues of interest to them. 

On December 11, we opened the Information Center. Kraków residents can obtain information on, among other things, construction technology, the progress of works or traffic organization. It is located near the intersection of Dobrego Pasterza and Strzelców streets and is open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Feel free to drop by! More.

On December 12, we met with representatives of the City of Kraków to present the current progress of our works. We discussed various aspects of the project, in particular the reconstruction of the multi-kilometer underground infrastructure.

Throughout the month, our work focused on the construction of the tunnel for the tram route to Mistrzejowice; particularly on the construction of the “Polsadu Roundabout” station and the new channel of the Sudół Dominikański.

We have also started work on the Młyńskie Roundabout, including construction: 

• execution of preliminary excavations and working platforms for the construction of the diaphragm walls of the “Rondo Młyńskie” station and the turnout chamber of the next stage of KST, 
• working platforms for the construction of station exits,
• relocation of utility networks colliding with the construction of the tunnel structure.

What’s in store for January? 

Starting January 11, some modifications will be made to the current temporary traffic organization. These changes will include a section of Lublańska Street and Bora-Komorowskiego Avenue. More.

In January, our deep-worker, known as “Lucjan”, will continue work related to the sinking of diaphragm walls for the “Rondo Polsadu” station. We will also carry out work related to the construction of working platforms for the “Młyńskie Roundabout” station and the construction of the new channel of the Sudół Dominikański.

As in previous months, the reconstruction of numerous underground networks will continue.

The construction of a tram route, new roads, underground networks, pedestrian and bicycle routes in the middle of a city is a huge challenge. In order to efficiently manage traffic while the work is being carried out, temporary traffic organization is necessary.

What is a temporary traffic organization? Let’s explain.

The construction of a tram route, new roads, underground networks, pedestrian and bicycle routes in the middle of a city is a huge challenge. In order to efficiently manage traffic while the work is being carried out, temporary traffic organization is necessary.

When is a temporary traffic organization introduced?

Temporary traffic organization is introduced in connection with the need to carry out construction work that interferes with the road lane. When creating it, consideration is given, among other things, to the order in which the work is carried out, its compliance with the plans of the owners of underground networks (gas, water, heat or energy), the technology of work used and the safety of traffic participants.

Work on large urban infrastructure projects requires staging to ensure the proper sequence of reconstruction of individual infrastructure elements while maintaining possible traffic flow on streets and minimizing obstructions. It is worth noting that the various stages of changes are planned before construction begins, but are subject to ongoing adjustments issued by the City Traffic Engineer, even while they are in effect.

Who is the Municipal Traffic Engineer?

The temporary traffic organization is approved by the Municipal Traffic Engineer (MIR) after the design has been approved by the Police, the Cracow City Roads Authority and the Public Transport Authority. The Engineer analyzes the received documents not only for compliance with the current law, but also from the perspective of the needs of Kraków residents. This poses a challenge, as it requires balancing and planning the organization of traffic so that repairs and investments can be carried out while minimizing inconvenience to residents. In order to improve safety or streamline traffic, the City Traffic Engineer can make changes to the temporary traffic organization already in place on the ground.

How is this done?

Temporary traffic organization is always a kind of compromise that tries to find a balance between the different needs and expectations of traffic participants. Everyone travels in different ways – by car, on foot or by bicycle, others use public transportation.

Temporary traffic organization designers try to take these diverse needs into account to minimize disruption. However, due to limited resources – mainly space constraints – temporary traffic organizations will always cause inconvenience to all traffic participants when such large investments are made.

Temporary traffic organization plays a key role in ensuring safety during construction work. This is not only a matter for the Contractor’s employees, but also a concern for traffic participants – drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. Seemingly small changes, such as narrowings or speed limits, serve an important function. Even if there is no direct work at the site, these regulations are essential in minimizing the risk of accidents and maintaining safe distances between vehicles.

General principles of traffic organization during construction

• Residents will be informed 7 days in advance about changes in traffic organization. Information will be available, among other things, on our website, social media, on the radio, in the press and on information boards hung around the city.
• We plan to have a minimum of 10 major phases of temporary traffic organization, but each will be divided into sub-stages involving relatively minor modifications
• Almost throughout the entire construction period, traffic obstructions will occur in the area of the tunnel section, i.e. at the Polsadu Roundabout, on Młyńska and Lublańska Streets; on the remaining sections, restrictions will occur temporarily at various stages of construction.
• Individual designs of temporary traffic organization will be consulted and agreed each time with various institutions, including the police, the Municipal Traffic Engineer, the road manager or the organizer of public transport.

In connection with the ongoing construction of the tunnel for the Tram to Mistrzejowice, traffic changes will await drivers from the second half of February. The temporary traffic organization design (stage 2.3) has already been prepared and submitted to city services. Pending their evaluation and approval, we present the prepared documentation.

Before the changes can be implemented and take effect, the temporary traffic organization must still be approved by the Municipal Traffic Engineer (MIR) – after the design has been reviewed by city services, i.e. the Police, the Roads Authority of the City of Kraków and the Public Transportation Authority. The process is ongoing, but we are already providing Kraków residents with the first information on the anticipated changes. The design presented here may make it easier to understand future traffic changes:

• On Lublańska Street, traffic between the Polsadu Roundabout and the Barei Roundabout will proceed on the western carriageway, with one lane for each direction.
• The eastern carriageway of Lublańska street from the Polsadu Roundabout to the Barei Roundabout – will be TOTALLY EXCLUDED.
• In addition, vehicle traffic from and to Bora-Komorowskiego Avenue will be redirected to the temporary intersection with Lublańska Street at the height of the exit from Promienistych Street.

Changes in traffic organization will be related to the continuation of slurry wall sinking.

At the same time, we would like to remind you – the design IS NOT yet final and is currently subject to the opinion of ZDMK, ZTP, MPK and the Police and the approval of the City Traffic Engineer. The presented changes are in the evaluation phase and may be subject to some modifications.  This briefing is published in connection with your requests that such materials, even in a non-final version, be published as early as possible. We will present the final COR plan (stage 2.3) 7 days in advance, through our website, social media, radio, press and information boards placed in the project area.

Responding to notifications and the needs of drivers, some modifications to the current temporary traffic organization will be introduced starting January 11. These changes will include a section of Lublańska Street and Bora-Komorowskiego Avenue.

On a part of Lublańska Street, driving from the Barei Roundabout towards the Polsadu Roundabout, two lanes will be designated: one for turning right and the other for going straight. Please pay special attention to pedestrians who will be crossing there.  

On Bora-Komorowskiego Avenue, at the approach to the Polsadu Roundabout, the lane for going straight will be slightly adjusted with appropriate markings.

In addition, in order to ensure the smooth progress of construction work, an additional exit will be designated near the Castorama store. It will be serving exclusively as access for construction vehicles and deliveries to the Castorama store. Pedestrian traffic will proceed unchanged, as before.