The first preparatory work for the redevelopment of the technical infrastructure and the construction of the tram route will begin this coming Monday: 3 July.
In the coming weeks, our activities will primarily involve site preparation and the implementation of earthworks related to the redevelopment of underground infrastructure. These works will also involve cutting down trees in areas that interfere with the planned new routes of this infrastructure. Nevertheless, our primary goal is to avoid trees and shrubs that are located in areas where we are analyzing the possibility of making changes. This is aligned with the expectations of residents.
The mayor of Krakow declared on Thursday, 29 June, that within a month final decisions will be made on the possibility of taking into account the demands of residents. Until the answers are published, we will continue our work: avoiding areas that may be subject to adjustments.
At first, we will focus on work on the southeast side of the Polsadu Roundabout, heading towards the Młyńskie Roundabout. Then we will work in the area of Lublańska Street on the eastern side towards the Barei Roundabout, and later from the Barei Roundabout to Mistrzejowice. Finally, work will be carried out from the Młyńskie Roundabout to Jana Pawła II Avenue and in the area of Lublańska Street on the west side due to the consideration of residents’ demands.
Starting Monday, signs will be located along the route of the project: informing of construction works and tree cutting. In connection with the first stage of the temporary traffic organization, there will be local narrowing of road lanes and temporary exclusions of pedestrian and bicycle routes.
Every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience and ensure the safety of residents during the implementation of these works.
You can read about the first stage of the temporary traffic organization, tunnel construction technology and the role of the City Traffic Engineer in the latest issue of our “Informator” paper.
Already 15,000 copies of the latest issue of “Informator” have been delivered to the homes of residents neighboring the construction of the tram route to Mistrzejowice, passersby and drivers. At the end of May, we also handed out the newspapers to Kraków City Councilors and various public institutions to share important information about the upcoming construction.
In the magazine you will find news about the project, a letter from Kraków Mayor Jacek Majchrowski addressed to residents, and interviews with Magdalena Nowak-Obrzut, director of the Kraków City Roads Authority, and Paweł Motyka, deputy contract director at Gülermak.
The electronic version of the second issue of “Informer” can be downloaded below:
There is a green light to begin work on the construction of the tram route to Mistrzejowice. Following the handover of land by the Kraków City Roads Authority, the Private Partner will begin organizing the construction site and preparatory work. According to the current schedule, the new infrastructure will be ready by the end of 2025.
The project for a tram route to Mistrzejowice received permission for a road investment project (ZRID) on 9 May 2023. – Obtaining the ZRID is a milestone that will enable us to begin construction of the tram route. Like the residents, we have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” says Krzysztof Dziobek, contract director from Gülermak.
Changes to benefit users
Due to residents’ demands, the Public Entity recommended that the Private Partner make modifications to the original design. These resulted in, among other things, a reduction in noise intensity and the number of noise barriers. This was achieved by reducing the cross-section of Meissnera Street, which allowed additional space for green areas and plantings. In addition, thanks to the contractor’s commitment, it was possible to preserve an additional 200 trees that interfered with the planned infrastructure.
Earlier, the designers of the streetcar line extended the underground route under the Polsadu Roundabout and the Młyńskie Roundabout to more than 1.2 kilometers, and adapted it to serve the future “pre-metro”. The collision-free routing of the tramway at level -1 is important not only from the point of view of traffic organization at intersections, but also contributes to reducing inconvenience for residents. – The road to approval was bumpy, but the changes made took into account the needs of the local community and helped increase the benefits for all stakeholders,” Krzysztof Dziobek concludes.
In parallel with the design work, the Private Partner conducted negotiations to obtain financing for the construction and maintenance of the streetcar line for 20 years. The direct agreement signed in January by representatives of the parties to the project (Private Partner, Public Entity) and the financing institutions: European Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bank Pekao SA and the Polish Development Fund confirmed that the project meets the highest international standards.
Resident-friendly public transportation
Thanks to this investment, travel time from the northern part of Kraków to the center will be reduced by about 12 minutes, which will certainly improve the attractiveness of public transportation for residents. As a result, the projected car traffic on this route will be reduced. In addition, the safety of pedestrians and cyclists will be improved thanks to the adaptation of sidewalks and bicycle paths to current regulations. New plantings will appear along the entire route, and tree and shrub species will be specially selected for the demanding urban conditions. The project also includes the use of environmentally friendly technologies, such as energy-efficient LED lighting, track lubricators, “green stops” and “green track” using sedum mats.
First, the preparatory work
The start of the first works depends on the handover of the site by the Public Entity, which should take place in the coming weeks. After taking over the site, the Private Partner will proceed with the necessary preparatory work, which will take about 3 months. During this time, there may be local, short-term changes in traffic organization, of which residents will be informed in advance. In the next stage, work will begin on reconstruction of underground network collisions.
– In Kraków, we look at infrastructure projects in the long term. On the timeline, the implementation of the construction and the difficulties associated with it are only a prelude to a completely new stage of functioning of the revitalized areas. Although difficult, it is temporary and leads to a real change in the quality of life in the city,” says Jacek Majchrowski, Mayor of Kraków.
In the spring of 2023, once the RCC decision (ZRID) is obtained, construction works for the tram route to Mistrzejowice will start. If everything goes according to plan, the new 4.5-kilometer track section – made in the public-private partnership formula – will be completed at the end of 2025.
On 30 January, a direct agreement was signed for the investment of Stage IV of the expansion of Kraków Fast Tram. The agreement, signed by the City representatives, the contractor (Gülermak) and the financing institutions, finalizes several years of documentation work and works on financing the largest transport project in Poland to be made in the public-private partnership formula.
– The tram route to Mistrzejowice is the largest transport project in the public-private partnership model in Poland. The fourth stage of the Kraków Fast Tram expansion is a 4.5-kilometer route between the terminus in Mistrzejowice and the intersection of Meissnera and Lema Streets – says Jacek Majchrowski, the President of Kraków.
Shortened travel time to the city center
Tracks will run from the intersection of Jana Pawła Avenue with Lema and Meissnera Streets, then along Meissnera, Młyńska, Lublańska, Dobrego Pasterza, Krzesławicka, Bohomolca, ks. Jancarza streets up to the existing terminus of Mistrzejowice. The investment is worth a total of PLN 1.92 billion.
– This connection will shorten travel time to the city center by approx. 12 minutes. Trams will be launched here at the end of 2025. The route includes a tunnel with a multi-level transfer hub in the vicinity of the Polsadu roundabout – adds Jacek Majchrowski.
The biggest PPP project in Poland
Pursuant to the agreement signed in December 2020 between the City of Kraków (the public entity) and the consortium of PPP Solutions Polska and Gülermak Ağır Sanayi İnşaat ve Taahhüt (the private partner), the latter is to secure financing, design, obtain the necessary construction consents and implement the tram route to Mistrzejowice. It will then take care of its infrastructure for 20 years. The city will take it over afterwards.
This is the biggest project of this kind in Poland. Kraków’s experience will serve as the basis for guidelines developed by other local governments wishing to use this formula to implement similar projects. The entity responsible for the project on behalf of the city is Kraków is Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK).
The European Investment Bank agreed to co-finance the investment. Other co-financing institutions are the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bank Pekao SA and the Polish Development Fund (PFR).
– We are now waiting just for the RCC decision to authorize the implementation of the road investment. Actual works will begin in the second quarter of this year – says Jacek Majchrowski.
Kraków model for partnership
Public-Private Partnership is an investment model based on long-term cooperation of a public entity (e.g. a city, a commune) with a private partner. Benefits, as well as the responsibility involved in the cooperation, are split between both parties in line with an agreement whose purpose is to improve the quality of infrastructure and services available to residents.
– We realize that residents have been waiting for the construction of this route for a long time. We had this in mind in recent months while compiling hundreds of documents, holding complex negotiations and preparing to meet the stringent requirements of the financing institutions. Already today we can say that this unique project will set new standards and will be a role-model in Poland and across Europe. Working hard we adapted the project to the subsequent requirements set by the City of Kraków – we prepared the infrastructure to serve the future premetro and reduced the impact of the investment on the environment – says Bülent Özdemir, Country Director Poland with Gülermak.
The Kraków PPP model for the construction of KST IV assumes payment for the availability of infrastructure. This means that the city will pay a certain amount successively if the infrastructure is maintained to an appropriate standard and operational for tram traffic. As a consequence, we minimize interruptions in tram operations on this route.
The PPP leverages on the private party’s experience to build modern infrastructure and reduces investment costs throughout its life cycle.
Request has been filed for a Road Construction Consent (RCC) decision for the tram route to Mistrzejowice. Once approved, it will pave the way for launching the construction of one of key investments in northern Kraków.
The design stage of KST IV (Meissnera – Mistrzejowice) enters its key phase. “Recent months have brought major changes to the design from the point of view of Kraków residents. The infrastructure for the planned pre-metro and the tram at Strzelców street has been taken into account. This translates into time and money savings for future investment projects” – says Andrzej Kulig, Deputy Mayor of Kraków for social and municipal policy.
Although tunnel extension and underground turnout chambers at its ends impacted the design works schedule, the request a RCC decision was filed at the beginning of January. Since the tram route is implemented in the PPP model, the private partner – the consortium of PPP Solutions Polska and Gülermak – is responsible for completing documents necessary to launch the project implementation phase and for ensuring financing.
The construction of tramway route to Mistrzejowice to kick off in 2022
“The documentation has been compiled by a project team of several dozen people and after a number of analyses and arrangements, including with the owners of the networks at the site of the future construction site as well as with units responsible for the safety of road users or water management” – says Paweł Motyka, Deputy Project Manager at Gülermak. “We hope that thanks to the joint effort by the public entity and the private partner at the stage of the procedure for issuing the RCC decision, we will soon be able to enter the construction site”.
During the request for RCC decision procedure, the private partner will continue working on the design documentation, including: detailed phasing of works, permanent and temporary traffic organization in the investment area and the technical design.
Clean and passenger-friendly transportation
In line with the updated schedule, the residents of Kraków will benefit from the fast tram route at the end of 2024. Once operational, it will shorten the travel time from Mistrzejowice to the city center by approx. 12 minutes and will eliminate any changes and significantly improve public transport experience. The investment will also improve the safety of vulnerable road users – sidewalks and bicycle paths will comply with applicable regulations. New plantings have been planned along the route and the species of trees and shrubs selected will be resistant to harsh urban conditions. The solutions have been designed using environmentally friendly technologies, including energy-saving LED lighting, renewable energy-powered track lubricators, “green stops” and “green trackbed” featuring sedum mats. Some stops will have photovoltaic cells.
“Our project fully leverages on the benefits available under the PPP model. One key advantage is that it does not burden the administration’s public debt. This project model makes the private partner’s remuneration dependent on the availability of the new route which ensures high standard of infrastructure performance and maintenance for 20 years” – says Marcin Hanczakowski, Director of Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK).
Decision has been made concerning changes in the design in the area of Młyńskie roundabout. Partners in the project of construction of the KST IV tram route have agreed on implementing trackbed at -1 level which is an alternative option to the one planned initially. The changes are a response to the residents’ expectations and will ensure the project is integrated with the planned construction of premetro.
Initially, the tramway route to Mistrzejowice was to feature an over-ground trackbed in the area of Młyńskie roundabout. In the spring, analyses were launched to check the possibility of introducing changes to the design whereby the tracks would be below the ground level. Their outcome brings solutions where the tramway route is below the roundabout.
“One of the main reasons for this decision is that the city had approved the premetro study which provides for its joint route with the KST IV between Bareja and Młyńskie roundabouts. By adjusting infrastructure to this major investment, we are supporting further development of transportation system without the need to redevelop the one already existing” – says Marcin Hanczakowski, Director of Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK). “We also wanted the tram to pass through Młyńskie roundabout, a critical location, in a grade-separated way so that all traffic users can save time and travel safely” – he adds.
The proposed underground route option was supported by the residents as seen in the preliminary results of a survey made as part of the second stage of public consultation for KST IV. It was the preferred option for approx. 65% of respondents.
Longer tramway route at -1 level
Under the new solution, down ramps – leading to a shored excavation in which trackbed will be placed under Młyńskie roundabout – will be located in the area of Pszona street. Passengers will be using stops at -1 level on the northern side of the roundabout. The stops will be accessible via underpasses which the passengers can reach using stairs or elevators situated on both sides of Młyńska street. Trams will be entering the planned tunnel before Polsadu roundabout. Therefore, the underground section of the tramway line, including ramps, will be approx. 1,180 meters long.
“Passengers already know this solution from Mogilskie roundabout. The underground option will not only shorten the tram journey time, but also improve traffic organization in the area of the intersection” – says Paweł Motyka, Deputy Project Manager at Gülermak. “The biggest challenge for this design option comes from the location of a tributary of Sudoł Dominikański stream right under the roundabout. This requires the grade line of the tramway route to be under the tributary, at 9.65m below ground level” – explains Motyka. The basic option of the new solution in the area of Młyńskie roundabout involves the redesign of the existing road network on the ground to be a turbo-roundabout. Yet, analysis of the possibility of leaving the intersection in its current form is still performed. Each route has a consistent circulation system designed for pedestrians and cyclists. The cost of additional works is set at approx. PLN 135m. Their implementation requires the consent of the Kraków City Council.
Solutions designed as part of the KST IV tram route received a positive opinion from the team tasked with reviewing the safety of vulnerable road users. Wherever area conditions allowed, bicycle paths were designed on both sides of the investment and separated from pedestrian traffic.
The team – being part of Public Transport Authority in Kraków – started reviewing the KST IV design in June and allocated some time for collecting opinions from the residents. Intensive work has been made since then to adapt the infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to the standards required by Kraków. Two meetings have been held between the designer and the audit participants while the review procedure ended with a positive opinion.
– The safety of vulnerable road users is a very important aspect of any project and designs are always reviewed by experts. The design of tram route to Mistrzejowice was no exception. We are happy the opinion is positive and now the designer will be analyzing the last comments – said Marcin Hanczakowski, Director of Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK).
The design involves the construction of new and partial reconstruction of the existing bicycle paths along the entire length of the tram route. They are planned on both sides of the route on the section between Lema–Meissnera intersection and the entrance to Water Park. They will be integrated with the infrastructure for cyclists in the areas adjacent to the project or they will enable smoothly joining the general traffic.
– For safety reasons – as much as possible given the area conditions – we followed the general rule of separating the bicycle and pedestrian traffic: the former one closer to the pavement, the latter on the inner side – says Paweł Motyka, Deputy Project Manager with Gülermak implementing the project. Whenever possible, the bicycle paths designed are 3m wide and safe geometric layout has been secured.
In the tunnel sections, pedestrians and cyclists may freely use the infrastructure at all levels. Spacious lifts have been designed for cyclists, people with reduced mobility and parents with prams to move between the levels. There are plans to build a bicycle parking lot at the Mistrzejowice terminus as well as numerous bicycle stands – their exact locations will be agreed at the detailed design stage.
A positive opinion from the team tasked with reviewing the safety of vulnerable road users in the city introduces the last remarks on the proposed solutions. The designer will be analyzing them to possibly take them into account. The sheets with the design are available at www.tramwajdomistrzejowic.pl/en.
Works on the concept of track and road layouts as well as the tunnel with an underground stop as part of the new, approx. 4.5-km long tram road to Mistrzejowice are in progress. On that basis, the final building permit design will be developed, which will be then implemented.
Construction of the tram road to Mistrzejowice is the first such a large transport project implemented in the model of public-private partnership (PPP) in Poland. – It is the responsibility of the selected private partner to draw up a design, obtain funding, construct and maintain the infrastructure for a period of 20 years. The PPP formula gives the city both financial and quality advantages – underlines Andrzej Kulig, deputy mayor of Cracow for social and municipal policy.
The city of Cracow decided to use government support for projects in the PPP model. It presented its idea which was noticed and selected. – Implementation of this project in the PPP model will allow implementing such an important transport project within a short period of time. We will provide the developing area of Mistrzejowice with a convenient, eco-friendly tram connection which will reduce the travel time to the city center by approx. 10 minutes – says Marcin Hanczakowski, director of Kraków Municipal Road Authority.
Concept at the final stage
The concept which specifies the route between the intersection of Lema and Meissnera Streets and the existing terminus in Mistrzejowice as well as solutions integrating the route with the existing infrastructure is being finalized. As regards the track layout, the concept provides for use of the reserve for construction of a tram road (among others, between roadways of Meissnera Street) and – in one of the options – passage under Młyńskie and Polsadu roundabouts at -1 level. It involves local changes to the road layout, reconstruction of sidewalks and the network of bike paths. The concept will be subject to the bicycle policy audit.
The key element of the designed tram road is the tunnel which will constitute a grade-separated, and therefore a faster and safer, route at a sensitive section. One of the options provides for the tram road going to -1 level before Młyńskie roundabout, where the track bed will be constructed in a shored excavation. Before Polsadu roundabout, it will turn into a tunnel. The second option considered, provides for a descent of the road to the tunnel right behind Młyńskie roundabout
– At present, we are working on providing passengers with convenient circulation routes within the area of the underground stop planned to be constructed in the area of Polsadu roundabout.
Its scope includes construction of boarding platforms at -2 levels and circulation paths at -1 level with exits to all sides of the roundabout, adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility as well as allowing transport of bikes – says Paweł Motyka, deputy director of the project on behalf of Gülermak.
Landscaping of key importance
Construction of the tram road to Mistrzejowice provides for green track bed. Such a track bed is not only about aesthetic value but it also gives the possibility of filtrating pollution and reducing noise. Once the landscaping design is ready, it will be possible to get acquainted with i.a. plans regarding trees within the project area. Currently, the last updates of the predevelopment plan are being done and the design documentation is being developed.
Communication with residents
In order to facilitate communication with residents, the private partner has opened a project hotline – 722 22 00 88 (Monday-Friday between 8:00-16:00) and a website – www.tramwajdomistrzejowic.pl, which is the main source of information about the project. In addition, an fb profile “Tramwaj do Mistrzejowic” and a LinkedIn channel for professionals have been created. The partner plans to conduct public consultation as well as extensive cooperation with Mistrzejowice and Prądnik Czerwony districts.
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A new tram road of the Kraków Fast Tram (KST, IV) of approx. 4.5 km will connect Mistrzejowice with the intersection of Lema and Meissnera Streets in 2024. It is the first time that such a large transport project is implemented in the model of public-private partnership in Poland. The project encompasses construction of 10 stop pairs, a tunnel in the area of Polsadu roundabout, extension of the tram terminus in Jancarza Street as well as associated infrastructure. The private partner of the project is consortium of PPP Solutions Polska Sp. z o.o. (leader) and Gülermak Ağir Sanayi Inşaat ve Taahhüt A.Ş. The entity responsible for the project on behalf of the city is Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK).
Partners in the project of construction of a tram road to Mistrzejowice will be among panelists of this year’s edition of PPP Leaders Forum. The conference under the auspices of the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy is dedicated to, i.a., financing, bankability and effectiveness of the public-private partnership model (PPP).
Participation in the PPP Leaders Forum planned for 17 June has been confirmed by representatives of Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK) and Gülermak, who represent partners in the public and private project of construction of a tram road to Mistrzejowice. It is the first such large transport project implemented in the model of public-private partnership in Poland, which will be a role model for other regional governments looking for alternative ways of funding investment projects. One will be able to hear about the Cracow project during panel discussion “PPP in public transport and cluster projects” planned for 13:10.
– Cracow chose the PPP formula for the project of construction of a tram road to Mistrzejowice. Use of private capital from the free market will enable construction of this connection, which is so important for residents, within only a few next years. One of the key elements in our contract is providing the city with a grade-separated means of transport already after opening the tram road – within 20 years of operation – says Marcin Hanczakowski, Director of the ZDMK.
The panelist representing Gülermak will be Łukasz Wypych, Investment Project Manager. – Construction of the tram road to Mistrzejowice is a pioneering project, which draws attention of regional governments as well as companies specializing in infrastructure projects. We hope that, by paving the way in this field, we will popularize the PPP model in public transport, and that the success of Cracow will encourage other cities to use advantages of this model for own investment purposes – convinces the representative of the private partner.
The PPP Leaders Forum is the most important periodic commercial conference dedicated to cooperation between professionals from the public and the private sector, who implement partner investment projects in the PPP formula. The last year’s edition of the event was attended online by 400 auditors. This year, the main topics of the discussion are: financing, bankability, analysis of effectiveness and provisions ensuring flexibility of a PPP contract due to its long-term nature. The event takes place under honorary patronage of the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.
Kindergarten children from Cracow take part in educational workshops “Little Masters – to Mistrzejowice by tram”. The workshops are organized as part of construction of a new Kraków Fast Tram road (KST, stage IV) implemented in the model of public-private partnership (PPP).
Who designs a tram road? How is a tunnel constructed? How to behave at a construction site? Answers to these as well as other questions of the youngest ones concerning construction of the tram road will be provided during workshops “Little Masters – to Mistrzejowice by tram”. Free workshops are organized in kindergartens and lower grades (1-3) of primary schools located in Mistrzejowice, Prądnik Czerwony and Czyżyny districts. The first workshops took place on 27 May, under the sanitary regime.
They are organized as part of information and promotion measures related to the project of construction of a new Kraków Fast Tram road (KST IV). Through play and attractive presentation way, they will stimulate imagination and increase social awareness among kids attending educational institutions in the neighborhood of the planned project. – In order to adjust the presented information to the age of the participants, three versions of the program have been prepared for different age groups. We know from our own experience that one can learn a lot through good play. As the contractor of e.g. Metro line II in Warsaw, we have conducted over 150 workshops so far, attended by almost 3 thousand children – says Gabriela Łazarczyk from Gülermak, which company is the organizer of workshops and the private partner of the project KST IV.
This school year, workshops will be conducted in those schools and kindergartens which, once invited by the organizer, were the first to volunteer to participate in this event. The plan is to continue the program during the holiday period and in school year 2021/22. Applications should be sent to malimistrzowie@gulermak.pl. The public partner of the project is Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK).
– ZDMK has been conducting educational programs (Young Cracovians’ Academy, Mobility Academy) for a long time, which explain to children and teenagers what our everyday tasks look like. We are glad that the current epidemiological situation allows us to start this action and that we do it with such an experienced partner as Gülermak – underlines Marcin Hanczakowski, director of Kraków Municipal Road Authority.
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A new tram road of the Kraków Fast Tram (KST, IV) of approx. 4.5 km will connect Mistrzejowice with the intersection of Lema and Meissnera Streets in 2024. It is the first time that such a large transport project is implemented in the model of public-private partnership in Poland. The project encompasses construction of 10 stop pairs, a tunnel in the area of Polsadu roundabout, extension of the tram terminus in Jancarza Street as well as associated infrastructure. The private partner of the project is consortium of PPP Solutions Polska Sp. z o.o. (leader) and Gülermak Ağir Sanayi Inşaat ve Taahhüt A.Ş. The entity responsible for the project on behalf of the city is Kraków Municipal Road Authority (ZDMK).
