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).

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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.

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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).

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