Warsaw is continuing to develop its cycling infrastructure. The city has just announced a tender for the construction of a new single-track road running along Solidarności Avenue and Leszno Street. The new bicycle route, more than a kilometre long, will connect the existing paths on Jana Pawła II Avenue and Okopowa Street, creating a coherent bicycle corridor. Interested contractors can submit bids until 7 March.
The investment will include an asphalt cycle path 2.5 metres wide (3 metres at crossings). The route will be routed through the service road near the building number 84, which will also be renovated. This will provide cyclists with comfortable access from Bemowo towards Jana Pawła II Avenue, moving along Górczewska, Leszno and Solidarności Avenue. The new infrastructure will also enable convenient access to the Wola District Office and the nearby station of the Warsaw Public Bicycle – Veturilo. The project involves the construction of cycle crossings and connectors at the junction with Żelazna Street, which will improve traffic in all directions. In addition, the pedestrian crossing and the bicycle crossing in the area of Cardinal Wyszyńskiego square will be elevated, which will significantly improve the safety of users. The investment will also include 25 new bicycle stands.
The northbound carriageway of Solidarności Avenue towards Bemowo will also undergo a metamorphosis. The number of traffic lanes will be reduced from three to two, and parking spaces will be moved from pavements to the existing third lane. In the one-way section of Leszno Street, on the other hand, car traffic will be diverted to the surface that has been excluded from use so far, while a bicycle lane will be created in the current roadway lane. This arrangement will allow the preservation of greenery, including valuable trees. In addition, it is planned to move the tram and bus stops on Solidarności Avenue to the western side of the junction with Żelazna Street, which will shorten the distance to be covered for public transport passengers.
Warsaw is consistently going green – as many as 59 trees will be planted as part of this investment, including elm, alder, cherry and chestnut trees. The area of shrubs and perennials will amount to nearly 14,000 square metres, and the plants will include arborises, roses, asters, sages and tulips. The new route is only the beginning. Ultimately, the cycle path along Solidarności Avenue will be extended eastwards as far as Bankowy Square, and the junctions with Jana Pawła II Avenue and Andersa Street will also be modernised. In addition, the city is preparing to build a cycle path on the eastern side of Jana Pawła II Avenue from the UN Roundabout to Solidarności Avenue – also with EU financial support.
The contractor will have eight months from the signing of the contract to complete the investment. The project has received EU funding under the ‘European Funds for Mazovia 2021-2027’ programme.
The new cycle route – before and after construction
Source: Warsaw Roads Authority
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