November 23, 2021 Budimex has signed a contract for the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Vistula River in the “build” formula, which is to connect the centre of Warsaw with Praga Północ. This bridge is to be 452 meters long – it will be the longest crossing for pedestrians and cyclists in Poland and one of the largest investments of this type in Europe. Thanks to the construction of the new bridge, Praga will become a kind of “extension” of the city centre of Warsaw. The investor of the contract is the Warsaw Municipal Roads Authority.
The bridge to be built by Budimex is to connect the banks of the Vistula at the level of ul. Karowa and ul. Stefan Okrzeja. Covering the route by the footbridge is then to take 6 minutes. on foot or 2 min. Bike. The pedestrian and bicycle bridge will connect the renovated part of right-bank Warsaw with the Vistula Boulevards. A pedestrian route will be created connecting ul. Ząbkowska with Powiśle and further Krakowskie Przedmieście, while a bicycle corridor is to be created for cyclists, connecting Praga and Targówek with Powiśle, Śródmieście and Wola.
– We are starting construction works preparatory to the construction this week. We start with an inventory of the facilities adjacent to the construction site and with an examination of the Vistula bottom at the construction site – says Dariusz Demianiuk – Regional Director of the Infrastructure Construction Division of Budimex, who signed the contract with the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw – Rafał Trzaskowski.
The structure of the bridge will be steel and the structure of the pillars will be reinforced concrete. The pillars of the bridge will be constructed from the river level. In accordance with the contractual conditions, we will ensure continuous traffic on the Vistula boulevards, but it will be limited. The assembly of the steel structure in the outer parts will be carried out from land, and the central part from vessels,” adds Dariusz Demianiuk.
The single-level, pedestrian and bicycle crossing over the Vistula is to be made of steel covered with corten-colored paint. At its widest point, the bridge is to measure 16.3 m, while at its narrowest it is 6.9 m. Width.
The bridge will connect the changing city center with the changing Praga. This is one of our top priorities – said Rafał Trzaskowski – Mayor of Warsaw during the signing.
The structure will have LED lighting built into the railings, and surveillance cameras will also be installed. The facility will be fully adapted to the needs of people with disabilities with reduced mobility. Two zones for relaxation are also to be separated on the bridge.
We agreed on construction documentation with over 50 entities. We sign a contract with a contractor proven in Warsaw. The Western Railway Station is probably the most recognizable investment carried out by this contractor. I hope that the bridge under construction will become our common showcase – added Łukasz Puchalski – Director of the Municipal Roads Authority during the event.
The contract value is 120 million 961 thousand. PLN gross. The works are to be completed in February 2024.
Budimex is also implementing the second and third stages of the expansion of the Vistula Collector for MPWiK for the local government of the Capital City of Warsaw. In 2019, Budimex completed the so-called hive. Czerniakowska BIS in Mokotów.
