The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) has announced the resumption of work on the construction of the missing section of the Warsaw Eastern Ring Road (WOW). It is to connect the Drewnica junction on the S8 road with the Warszawa Wschód (Zakręt) junction, making it possible to close the Warsaw road ring. The subject has been the subject of much controversy and opposition from residents who protest against the planned investment for years. However, the Eastern Bypass of Warsaw is essential, as its missing section causes significant traffic impediments.
Return to planning of key section of S17
As part of the new measures, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) intends to issue a tender for the preparation of a Technical-Economic-Environmental Study (STEŚ), which will be used to analyse various variants of the route. Social, environmental and economic factors will be taken into account, and particular emphasis will be placed on public consultations to take into account the voices of local residents and stakeholders. One of the solutions considered is to run the route in a tunnel under the Wesoła district, which would reduce its impact on the environment and improve the quality of life of local residents. The final decision on the route of the bypass will be taken once the analyses and consultations have been completed.
Residents’ protests and the fight to save the Milestone Forest
Despite assurances from the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) that public consultations will be carried out, many residents of Wesoła, Ząbki and other adjacent areas strongly oppose the construction of the bypass. They point to negative effects on the environment, noise, increased pollution and degradation of green areas. A particular point of contention is the planned route through the Mile Forest, which is a valuable natural and recreational area for local residents. The fight to protect it has been ongoing for years, with local environmental organisations and residents calling for the route to be rerouted to avoid logging and degradation of this unique ecosystem.
Photo: GDDKiA
The Eastern Bypass of Warsaw and its significance for the road system
The lack of a 14-kilometre section of the WOW causes significant traffic impediments. Currently, drivers are forced to use alternative routes, which leads to traffic jams on voivodeship roads Nos. 631, 637 and 638 and streets in Wesoła. Full closure of the ring road would allow traffic to be spread out and reduce congestion on the most congested sections, such as the S8 at Powązki and the Grota-Roweckiego bridge.
Warsaw Eastern Ring Road – what next?
The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) has announced that with favourable formal and legal conditions and an efficient process of obtaining an environmental decision, the investment could be realised between 2032 and 2035. However, due to numerous protests and the complicated legal history of the project, its future still remains uncertain.
Source: General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways
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