After a five-month break, trams have returned to Mistrzejowice. From November 25th, trams will run to the “Miśnieńska” stop, which is the penultimate stop before the loop. At the “Mistrzejowice” loop, trams will turn around as part of technical runs.
The new tram loop in Mistrzejowice is an important element of Krakow’s transportation network expansion. The “Mistrzejowice” loop will serve up to 2,700 passengers per hour, significantly improving travel comfort for residents of this part of the city. It has been designed with future transportation needs in mind, considering both current and future traffic volumes – its maximum capacity is up to 40 trams per hour.
According to the contractor’s declaration, trams will run to the penultimate stop before the loop. At the loop, they will turn around as part of technical runs. Formally, it is still a construction site. Thanks to this approach, the loop itself will be covered by a longer maintenance guarantee by the private partner, – emphasizes Magdalena Obrzut Nowak, director of the Krakow City Roads Authority.
Loop in numbers
Preparatory work began at the beginning of June, and the loop was closed on June 24, 2024. Work on the loop lasted five months. The reconstruction of the existing infrastructure was quite a challenge. To allow trams to return to Mistrzejowice, builders from Gülermak company installed 1,300 meters of overhead lines stretched on 32 poles and 5 gantries. As part of the work, over a kilometer of tracks was laid (exactly 1,013 meters of single track), and the total amount of aggregate used for the track bed was as much as 1,400 tons.
We laid exactly 179 prefabricated track slabs. These are ready-made track elements that are laid on the route to create a stable and even surface for tram tracks. Thanks to prefabrication, installation is faster and more precise. The track bed was reinforced with 320 meters of prefabricated concrete beams, – summarizes Krzysztof Dziobek, contract director, Gülermak company.
Unexploded ordnance slowed down the work
Originally, we planned to start traffic to Mistrzejowice by the end of the summer. Unexpected difficulties turned out to be unexploded ordnance scattered around the investment area.
Unfortunately, our plans were thwarted by numerous unexploded ordnance that we encountered during the work. With the help and under the full supervision of a sapper patrol, we managed to secure and transport over 100 pieces of various types of explosives to the training ground. For several weeks, we had to check the construction site meter by meter, – says Krzysztof Dziobek, contract director, Gülermak company.