Improving safety levels on operating railway lines, Trakcja with contract for construction of viaduct in Starachowice

On 16 May 2023, Trakcja S.A. signed an agreement with the Starachowice County Roads Authority for the implementation of the task titled:  "Improving the conditions for service and development of the Starachowice SEZ S.A. by, among other things, constructing a collision-free road crossing over railway line No. 25 in Starachowice."

The subject of the contract is the construction of a single-span arched viaduct over railway line 25, together with access roads, pavements and a cycle path. A road viaduct with a span of approximately 65 m will connect the DK42 national road to Radomska Street and, with its curved design, will fit perfectly into the city skyline. The structure of the new facility will gain decorative, remote-controlled lighting, allowing any bars and lighting scenes to be set.

The citizens of Starachowice will receive a safe, turbine roundabout, which will be built in the place of the current junction with circular traffic (im. Księdza Jerzego Popieluszki). The following street inlets will be rebuilt: Radomska, Hutnicza and Marszałka Piłsudskiego.

More than 2 km of road layout will be built, with cycle paths, bus bays, pavements, a car park with 57 parking spaces and a vehicle charging station with electrical installation. Two 'green stops' for public transport with modern architecture will be built and trees and shrubs planted all around. The neighbourhood will get new street lighting, vertical and horizontal signage and traffic safety devices. The flyover is an important and eagerly awaited investment by the residents of Starachowice, which will significantly improve traffic flow in the city and facilitate access to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as well as improve communication with the Starachowice Zachodnie railway stop. One of the obligatory indicators for improving the safety level on the operated railway lines is the increase in the number of double-deck railway crossings with roads - thanks to the investment implemented under the Strategic Investment Programme, the risk of accidents at railroad-road crossings will be reduced.

The investment will bring many positive changes to the city and benefits to its residents:

• Changing the single-level junction with the railway line to a collision-free viaduct will have a positive impact on the capacity of the traffic system, reduce journey times and improve driving comfort.
• The original structure of the viaduct (arched structure) fitted with illuminated lighting will improve the aesthetics of the city's architecture.
• The reconstruction of the existing road system will improve its functionality and efficiency.
• Pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from the redevelopment: new pavements and cycle paths will be created, existing routes will be rebuilt, new public transport stops (green stops) will be created.
• A car park (57 parking spaces) will be created, which will be equipped with an electric vehicle charging station.
• The streets will receive new lighting, which will affect safety (especially for pedestrians) and increase comfort after dark.
• Residents have been dealing with the problem of flooding for years - the terrain and the ineffective stormwater drainage network, which is unable to absorb and drain excess rainwater, result in localised flooding, which floods streets, car parks and basements. The construction of a stormwater drainage system and a retention basin system will help solve the problem of managing excess rainwater.