The city has announced a tender for the preparation of a project for a new tram line from Kujawskie roundabout to the tram loop at Bielicka Street. The track is planned to be extended to Grunwaldzkie roundabout.
The investment, which the city initially assumes will be financed from European funds for the 2021-27 perspective, will also require the reconstruction of the tram loop in Gdańsk Forest. Additional platforms and ecological shelters with plants on the roofs will be created there. – We have chosen these solutions after extensive consultations with the residents of Bydgoszcz, emphasizes Tomasz Okoński, spokesman for the Municipal Roads and Public Transportation Authority.
Let us remind you that Solskiego, Piękna, Szubińska and Kruszwicka streets have been reserved for a new tram line for many years. Only now there is a chance to implement these plans. The task has been considered one of the priorities in the development of the urban communication network.
On a huge scale
The double-track tram line is planned to be approximately 3.4 km long. It will improve the communication between Szwederowo, Górzyskowo, and part of the Błonie housing estate with the city center. It will also be an alternative connection between Górny Taras and the city center. – Due to the massive scale of the project, we will implement it in stages, explains Tomasz Okoński. – Firstly, we will prepare documentation for the construction of a 1.5 km stretch of track from Kujawskie roundabout to the tram loop at Bielicka Street. An important part of this investment will be the adaptation of Solskiego Street to a dual-carriageway cross-section, with sidewalks on both sides, bicycle paths, and infrastructure for public transportation, in accordance with the provisions of the local development plan.
Twenty months for documentation
The tender for the preparation of documentation for the investment has already been announced. The preparation of complete documentation, including environmental decisions and decisions on the road investment project, is expected to take the contractor about twenty months.
Green track
As we have already mentioned, trams to Szwederowo will run on the so-called green track for the first time. This will require the reconstruction of Solskiego Street. Currently, part of this section is dual-carriageway, and part is single-carriageway. After reconstruction, trams will run on it in a lane separating the lanes serving opposite directions of traffic. The track will be covered with grass or sedums. As part of the investment, new sidewalks and bike paths will be laid, pedestrian crossings, bus and tram stops will be created. The infrastructure will be adapted to the needs of the elderly and disabled.
In Myślęcinek, plant shelters and a new platform
The entire underground infrastructure and sections of access roads to the new route will also be reconstructed. – The tram loop will be located on the square on the north-western side of the intersection of Solskiego and Bielicka streets. Currently, part of this area is occupied by sheet metal garages – says the spokesperson for the Bydgoszcz road administration. – Returning to the changes at the Myślęcinek loop: it will be equipped with an additional platform track for passengers alighting and an additional platform track for passengers boarding public transport vehicles. Designers will have to take into account the use of green shelters with incorporated vegetation in their designs. New benches and fences are also planned. Both tasks are to include numerous plantings of trees and shrubs, – concludes Tomasz Okoński.
The city invests in trams
The road authorities emphasize that over the last decade, the city has focused on expanding the tram network. It has been possible, among other things, to increase the length of tracks from 28 to 41 kilometers. Connections to the Main Station, Fordon, and along Kujawska Street have also been established. In the longer term, there are plans to connect Bielawy with Fordoński roundabout and the loop at Rycerska Street with Gdańska Street. The city has replaced a large part of the rolling stock. We have 35 Pesa trains operating here. Another 10 have been ordered.
