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August on the Construction Site of the Tram to Mistrzejowice

The summer holidays were filled with intensive work, and August brought further changes visible to residents. The most important development was the restoration of tram traffic along Mogilska Street and al. Jana Pawła II. Thanks to this, tram service along this route resumed at the beginning of the school year, making it easier for passengers to reach schools and workplaces.

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Roadworks Department

The roadworks team focused on constructing tracks and roadways at several locations simultaneously. Track construction was carried out at the intersections of Bohomolca, Marchołta, Kurzei, and Załuskich Streets, allowing for the continuation of additional segments of the new route. On Jancarza and Bohomolca Streets, paving works, sidewalk and bike path installation, and platform construction were continued.

On Meissnera, Pilotów, Młyńska, Dobrego Pasterza Streets, and near the Mistrzejowice terminal, work began on new bus platforms. These are essential elements to ensure comfortable transfers and accessibility for passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists in the future.

On Meissnera, Pilotów, Lubańska, Bohomolca, and Jancarza Streets, earthworks continued, and foundation layers for the new road and track structures were being laid. Bituminous layers were paved in sections along the above-mentioned streets and on parts of the Barei Roundabout carriageway.

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Electrical Department

August was a very busy month for the electrical department. In addition to installing and equipping traction poles along the entire route, they carried out the construction of power supply cables and the reconstruction of the existing traction network in the area of al. Jana Pawła II and Mogilska. This prepares the infrastructure for the eventual installation of overhead contact wires and the final tram power supply.

At the same time, cable ducting for telecommunications operators and traffic signal systems was being built – this will ensure the proper operation of traffic management systems in the future. In many areas – including Meissnera, Pilotów, and Dobrego Pasterza Streets – conduits under roads and tracks, as well as protective cable pipes, were installed, securing the infrastructure for years to come.

Installation of new street lighting was also underway, with lamp fixtures appearing on Meissnera, Jancarza Streets and near the Mistrzejowice terminal.

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Sanitary Department

The sanitary team was mainly responsible for relocating conflicting underground installations. On Meissnera Street, the gas pipeline, water supply, and sewer system were relocated at the intersection with Chałupnika Street – enabling continued paving and track works on this section.

Simultaneously, manhole adjustments were carried out across the construction site – these small details are essential to ensure the durability and safety of the final sidewalks and roadways.

Inside the tunnel, internal installation works were being carried out.

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Bridge and Tunnel Department

This department continued reinforced concrete works on the tunnel structure – including under-slab excavation, wall and slab concreting, and insulation works. The fastest progress was made in sections where under-slab excavation enabled work to start on new construction fronts. Walls and corridors are now visible below the surface.

At Polsad Station, general construction and installation works were carried out on both levels, while at the Barei Roundabout and on Meissnera Street, the construction of entry ramp walls progressed.

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Structural Department

The structural team worked on retaining walls and noise barriers. Reinforcement, concreting, and insulation allowed for the completion of several sections and the beginning of new ones. At the same time, excavations and piling were carried out for future barriers – although not as visually striking as the tracks, these elements are crucial in protecting residents from noise.

In some locations, noise barrier posts have already been installed, offering a glimpse of the route’s final appearance.

What’s Ahead in September?

In September, work will focus on the continued installation of sanitary and electrical infrastructure, as well as ongoing tunnel works. New street lighting will be switched on in sections already completed.

In the areas of Rondo Młyńskie and Rondo Barei, new traffic arrangements will be introduced to open up completed road sections. Intensive work will continue on sidewalks, bicycle paths, and platform construction. Asphalt paving will take place throughout the month.

Installation work in the tunnel will also continue – including water, sewage, and ventilation systems – which are necessary to begin finishing the station and equipping it with safety systems in the coming months.

Attention! Update on changes to tram traffic on Mogilska Street

Dear Residents,
Starting from September 1st, tram service will resume on Mogilska Street.

The tram stop Tauron Arena Kraków Wieczysta (01, 02) will remain out of service, and the area around the stop will stay closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrian routes in this area remain unchanged.

Trams will also stop at the Białucha and Polish Aviation Museum stops.

Tram line number 5 will stop at the tram terminal Tauron Arena Kraków Wieczysta (03).

A map showing the route is provided below.

Please remember that this is still an active construction site, so we kindly ask you to exercise appropriate caution.

July’s Pace Doesn’t Slow Down. Excavations, backfilling, base slabs, and new track sections – nearly every area of the investment shows clear progress. Despite surprises – from difficult soil conditions to newly discovered underground conflicts – work is proceeding as scheduled.

Starting Section

In the area of al. Jana Pawła II and Mogilska Street, intensive works are ongoing. After the district heating network was switched over on the 31st of July and track-road conflicts were resolved, ground replacement began for the future tram tracks. Tram tracks installation will begin in the coming weeks. Some of the traction pole foundations are already in place. The plan is to shift traffic on October 1st and complete all work in this area before Christmas.

Meissnera Street – Dynamic Changes

At the Śliczna–Łąkowa intersection, a storm water chamber is under construction, and an asphalt layer is planned by the end of the summer holidays. On the eastern side of Meissnera, asphalt has already been laid – paving works and preparations for a green track bed are underway. On Chałupnika Street, the sanitary sewer has been rerouted, and road base layers are being prepared. Track installation is ongoing up to the tunnel section.

Tunnel – Full Mobilisation

Intensive work continues along the entire 1.2-kilometre tunnel section. Additional base and top slabs have been completed, including near the Młyńskie Roundabout, where a bypass was also created. Sub-slab excavation continues between Młyńska Street and Polsad Station. At the station itself, masonry and installation works are underway on both levels. Along Lublańska Street, the final base slabs are being installed, and the exit section is being finished.

Roadworks Along The Route

At Barei Roundabout (Rondo Barei), the outline of the future roadway is already visible – the southern side, enclosed with curbs, is just waiting for the asphalt layer, which is due any moment. On the western side, work on the sidewalk is progressing intensively. On Dobrego Pasterza Street, preparations for the new route are underway – remnants of the old surface have been removed, and teams are laying tracks and paving stones. Meanwhile, on Jancarza Street, the road is being widened, and two new access roads to nearby estates are under construction and expected to open by the end of the month. There’s also a lot happening near the tram terminus – paving works have finished near the church, and the area is being cleaned and prepared for greening with sedum mats.

Sector Updates

Electrical Sector

In July, old traction poles were removed at the intersection of al. Jana Pawła II and Mogilska, Meissnera Streets, and installation of 22 new ones began. New sections of traction cables and protective lighting conduits are being built, and power and telecom conflicts are being resolved. Teletechnical ducts and service channels are also under construction.

Sanitary Sector

Most work was focused around the intersection of al. Jana Pawła II and Mogilska, where under-track crossings, storm water drainage, and gas line reconstructions were completed. A storm water chamber is under construction on Śliczna Street. On Chałupnika Street, sewer redirection work was completed. Storm water drainage is now being built on Bohomolca Street, and manhole and inlet adjustments are ongoing along the entire investment route.

Bridge and Tunnel Sector

Tunnel work was intense throughout the entire 1.2 km section in July. At Barei Roundabout, new foundation slabs were laid, and reinforcement for retaining walls began. Alongside the Tertium Business Park, excavation was done for the last missing tunnel segment on this stretch, at the former Lublańska Street exit. Under the northern chamber roof, a foundation slab with 600 m³ of concrete was poured; above it, tunnel backfilling is ongoing to prepare for road layers. At Polsad Station, sub-slab excavation resumed toward the south on level -2. Masonry work on level -1 is complete, with plastering and installation work planned for August on both levels. Along Młyńska Street, more concrete struts, top slabs, and capping beams were installed. At Młyńska Boczna, after closing traffic, reinforced concrete work began to connect tunnel sections. Concrete work also began on the south exit ramp at Młyńskie Roundabout and along Meissnera Street.

Structural Sector

In July, the structural team focused on retaining wall works from Lublańska to Dobrego Pasterza. Excavation, pile head trimming, form work, reinforcement, and slope shaping were performed. Pile installation for acoustic barriers began. On Bohomolca Street, roof insulation and external door installation at the future transformer station were completed.

What’s coming in August?

In August, two major traffic changes will be introduced. On Dobrego Pasterza Street (near Biedronka), the roadway layout will change on August 4th – with a right-turn ban from Barei Roundabout and a new pedestrian crossing. The next day, at Młyńskie Roundabout, the entire roadway and sidewalk system will shift south. Additional local pedestrian path adjustments are planned, and on Jancarza Street, the southern roadway will be closed, with traffic signals turned off.

August will be a month of intense track, road, and paving works. The first asphalt layers will appear in many sections, and some areas – such as Jancarza and Dobrego Pasterza – may be partially opened to residents.

We also invite you to watch the latest drone footage of the project.

Next week, on August 4th and 5th, two traffic organization changes will be introduced. Please find more details below.

Traffic Organisation Change – Dobrego Pasterza Street

Starting Monday, August 4th, in the morning hours, Dobrego Pasterza Street near the entrance to the Biedronka store will undergo lane narrowing and modifications to traffic layout.

A temporary pedestrian crossing will be created opposite the hotel parking lot. The pedestrian route will be moved to the other side of the road. There will be no pedestrian access from the Biedronka side.

Current traffic directions and vehicle movement options will remain unchanged.

Please follow vertical and horizontal signage and exercise particular caution.

Traffic Organisation Change – Młyńskie Roundabout

Starting Tuesday, August 5th, in the morning hours, changes to the traffic layout will be introduced at the Młyńskie Roundabout – the road, temporary pedestrian route, and crossing will be shifted southward, toward Meissnera Street.

Please follow vertical and horizontal signage and exercise particular caution.

The new tram line to Mistrzejowice is more than just an improvement in public transport – it’s a real benefit for both residents and the environment. Green tracks with sedum mats and green roofs on tram stops will reduce noise, improve air quality, and introduce more greenery into the urban landscape. With the planting of over 1,400 new trees, the streets will become more attractive and pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly.

Thanks to the compensatory planting project, over 1,400 new trees will be planted along Lublańska, Meissnera, Krzesławicka, and Młyńska streets! Moreover, thanks to dialogue with residents, changes were made to the original plan, increasing the number of new plantings by an additional 350 trees. The planting ratio now stands at 1 to 1.5 – for every two trees removed, three new ones are planted.

Updates to the planting plans are regularly discussed during construction meetings, in which residents actively participate by sharing their ideas and needs. Thanks to their involvement, the Tram to Mistrzejowice is not just a modern tram line but also a project that enriches Kraków’s greenery.

List of Species

English Name	Latin Name
Common hornbeam ‘Columnaris’	Carpinus betulus ‘Columnaris’
Norway maple ‘Columnaris’	Acer platanoides ‘Columnaris’
Small-leafed lime tree ‘Greenspire’	Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’
Silver birch	Betula pendula
Norway maple	Acer platanoides
Black pine	Pinus nigra
Black locust	Robinia pseudoacacia
Turf hairworm	Deschampsia cespitosa
Miscanthus chinensis ‘Gracillimus’	Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’
Field maple ‘Elsrijk’	Acer campestre ‘Elsrijk’
Common periwinkle	Vinca minor
Common rowan	Sorbus aucuparia
Sedum mats	—
Virginia creeper	Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper ‘Veitchii’	Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Veitchii’
Broadleaf lime ‘Fastigiata’	Tilia platyphyllos ‘Fastigiata’
Groundcover rose	Rosa sp.
White dogwood	Cornus alba
Forsythia intermedium	Forsythia x intermedia
Ornamental apple tree ‘Evereste’	Malus PERPETU ‘Evereste’
Common loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria
Hempseed	Eupatorium cannabinum
Garden daylily	Hemerocallis xhybrida
Black geranium	Geranium phaeum
Siberian iris	Iris sibirica
Green horsetail	Equisetum hyemale

Green Tracks

As much as 74% of the area used for the construction of the tram line to Mistrzejowice will be biologically active land. One of the key elements of this project is the introduction of green tracks, where sedum mats—an eco-friendly alternative to traditional grass—will be used. These mats are easy to install, drought-resistant, and require minimal maintenance. Unlike grass, they don’t need watering or mowing, which reduces water consumption and CO₂ emissions associated with upkeep.

Green tracks are both an aesthetic and functional solution. The plants covering the sedum mats help filter the air, retain rainwater, reduce dust dispersion, and absorb noise generated by trams. During the growing season, they create multicolored floral carpets that change hues with the seasons.

Green Roofs at Tram Stops

The new tram line to Mistrzejowice will also include green roofs on all 19 newly designed stops. Tram shelters will be adapted to support the weight of sedum mats—the same technology used on the tracks. The vegetation on the roofs will be drought-resistant, minimising the need for irrigation.

Green roofs on tram stops serve both an insulating and aesthetic function, while also retaining rainwater and reducing the urban heat island effect. Thanks to them, the stops will become more environmentally friendly, offering passengers shelter in a more pleasant, green setting.

Benefits for the Climate and Residents

The use of green tracks and green roofs on tram stops is a response to the challenges of climate change. They mitigate the effects of extreme rainfall, lower ambient temperatures, increase biodiversity, and contribute to an improved quality of life for Kraków’s residents. These are modern and sustainable solutions that set the direction for the development of urban infrastructure.

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the next stage of construction of the tram line to Mistrzejowice (KST IV) will begin. In connection with this, a new traffic organisation will be introduced, affecting both drivers and public transport passengers.

Road traffic changes:

• Vehicle traffic will be shifted to the southern carriageway of the Mogilska Street – al. Jana Pawła II route.

• Meissnera Street will be closed between the intersection with Mogilska Street / al. Jana Pawła II and the intersection with Śliczna and Łąkowa Streets (no straight-ahead access to Lema Street).
• A detour will be established through al. Jana Pawła II → Stella-Sawickiego Street → al. Bora-Komorowskiego.

Public transport changes:

• Suspension of tram service between Rondo Mogilskie and the Wieczysta terminal (tram service expected to resume in September).
• Trams will continue to operate toward Nowa Huta from the Wieczysta terminal.
• A replacement bus line will be launched on the route: Rondo Mogilskie – Czyżyny.

Scope of works is extensive – it includes the reconstruction of underground infrastructure, construction of a new tram track (1 km), modernisation of the road system (8,500 m² of new surfaces, 0.5 km of bicycle paths), as well as the installation of noise barriers and retaining walls.