On Tuesday, public consultations on the reconstruction of Jagiellonów roundabout started. The BAK company from Bydgoszcz had time since 2021 to create a project in which the roundabout would be rebuilt to be more accessible for people with disabilities and limited mobility. The details of the reconstruction were revealed by the Bydgoszcz city council.
As part of this investment, pedestrian crossings are to be designated, stairs are planned to be rebuilt, and special elevators are to be added. There will be a total of eight elevators, each serving a different part of the intersection and tram platform. This is intended to help improve accessibility to public transportation for disabled individuals.
The roadways at all entrances and exits of the intersection will also undergo correction, and there will be three lanes on each approach to the roundabout. Passengers will also be able to access the platform from the eastern side of the intersection via stairs.
Controversy surrounds the reconstruction of Jagiellonów roundabout. After all, almost all tram lines intersect here, so the investment must have an impact on the comfort of Bydgoszcz’s motorized residents and urban transportation.
On the other hand, people with disabilities are concerned that elevators may not actually make it easier for them to move through the roundabout, as they are likely to frequently malfunction. There have already been objections raised by the Council for Aesthetics and the Bicycle Policy Team, pointing out that this project does not include good solutions for cycling. There are also voices of criticism based on the fact that the concept lacks greenery and the platforms are quite short.
In preparing the tender, the city council noted that the contractor should have three alternative change concepts. One considering underground crossings, another with designated above-ground crossings, and a third based on the designers’ own ideas. The public consultations started on Tuesday, April 18, and residents have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the solutions for this key section in Bydgoszcz prepared by the city in collaboration with the designers.
Why is Jagiellonów roundabout so important?
– Jagiellonów roundabout is the most important transportation hub in the city,” said Bydgoszcz Mayor Rafał Bruski not long ago. – It was designed half a century ago, when the needs of people with disabilities and cyclist safety were not taken into account. We will fix this mistake. Additionally, where possible, we will introduce more greenery and take care of the aesthetics of the underground passage. We are constantly working on improving public transportation accessibility,” he added.
And indeed, Jagiellonów roundabout was built (still under the name XXX-lecia PRL roundabout) and opened for use in 1974. Back then, there was no talk of solutions such as elevators for disabled individuals or lanes for cyclists. It is clear, therefore, that changes are needed – and significant ones at that – both in terms of improvements for cyclists and disabled individuals, as well as aesthetic changes. After almost fifty years, it can probably be said that it is high time to modernize one of the most important transportation points in Bydgoszcz.
