Kraków closer to building its own metro. Plans, which were only preliminary assumptions a fewer years ago, now become real. After years of expectations, the city starts preparing for 1 of the biggest investments in its history. In the article “Poland and the World”, Aleksandra Kąkol described in item the latest advancement on the construction of the underground railway in Krakow. What are the next steps? What does this investment mean for residents and tourists?
Green light for Krakow metro
Kraków joins cities that take on the challenge of building a subway. So far the only Polish city with an underground railway was Warsaw, where the metro has been operating for nearly 3 decades. However, now, after long waiting, Kraków has a chance to join this elite group. As the author of the material notes, already in a referendum a decade ago, residents expressed their support for this investment, and the plans are now taking shape.
The city's president, Aleksander Miszalski, emphasises that the implementation of the metro is simply a priority: “I take this very seriously and I would like to do everything possible to accelerate this process” said during 1 of the sessions of the Krakow City Council.
First episode: faster and easier than in Warsaw?
The first phase of the investment will include a 6-kilometre section under the city centre, which will let fast movement between Rond Młyński and Piastowska Street in the area of the Vistula Stadium Kraków. Passengers will be able to cross this way in just 9 minutes. Moreover, the construction is to be faster and simpler than in the capital, resulting from geological differences.
“There was a subway buried in the ground, where we will have limestone rocks. So here any method details will vary, but besides large differences will not be in terms of logistics.” – explains Dr. Mateusz Blajer from the Faculty of Land Engineering and Resource Management of AGH in Kraków.
Why does Krakow request a subway?
Building a subway in Krakow is simply a necessity, not a luxury. The city is struggling with expanding problems associated with the congestion of the center. The current tram infrastructure is not keeping pace with the increasing needs. Trams decision slowly, frequently blocking each other, leading to the formation of alleged tram jams.
"Trams are no longer able. They're moving slow through the center. There are adequate trams that already start creating tram traffic.” – emphasises Jacek Mosakowski, expert on transport policy.
The first episode of the Krakow metro is only the beginning. In the future, the line is to be extended to Nowa Huta and to the west towards Bronowice, which will aid relieve ground transport and improve the quality of life of residents.
Heavy or light subway?
Kraków besides has a discussion about the kind of metro that will best work in the city. 2 options are presently under consideration: dense and light metro. As Dr. Inż notes. Matthew Blajer, each has its advantages and disadvantages.
"In the dense subway we have much larger carriages, decently adjusted, heavier, larger infrastructure, larger tunnels. dense metro can carry more people” – explains the expert.
Unfortunately, dense metro costs more. The construction will be more costly by respective billion PLN compared to a light metro, and the cost of its maintenance will be higher.
How much will the subway in Krakow cost?
The cost of building the first line of Kraków metro is estimated at PLN 13 billion. The task is to be completed by 2028 and the backing will come from the state budget, EU funds and urban resources.
The construction of the metro in Krakow is simply a immense challenge, but besides a chance to make modern infrastructure that responds to the increasing transport needs of the city. For residents and tourists, this means a faster and more convenient way to travel around the crowded city center.
Continued here:
Not only Warsaw. Kraków has a green light to build the first metro line
