The footbridge, which will connect the city center with the Praga bank of the Vistula River, will be the first crossing in Warsaw reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. Four years after the competition was decided, its construction has finally been announced. New, updated visualizations of the crossing have also been presented.
There is a decision
Photo: City Hall of Warsaw
Thecompetition for Warsaw's first footbridge over the Vistula was decided in 2017. At the time, the first prize was awarded to the Schuessler-Plan Inżynierzy Sp. z o.o. team from Warsaw, consisting of Dirk Krolikowski, Falko Schmitt, Justyna Grzesiak, Wioletta Zdziraska, Frank Ehrlicher, Piotr Piotrkowicz, Andrzej Piniaha and Zbigniew Wichański. The project was awarded for its restrained and elegant form, fitting into the landscape of this part of the city. As justified by the jury, the authors of the work, while preserving the original and unique appearance of the crossing, did not try too hard to compete with the characteristic objects located in the vicinity of the bridge. The work was recognized for the high quality of the architecture, including in terms of detail. The winning concept, against the background of other competition solutions, also gave the greatest hopes for the efficient and effective implementation of the crossing, which was important from the investor's point of view.
Photo: City Hall of Warsaw
Four years after the competition was decided, a legally binding construction permit for the bridge was issued on the basis of the construction project developed at the time . The structure, which is about 500 meters long, will have a variable width. Curved into the shape of lightning, the footbridge is 6.9 meters at its narrowest point, over the current of the river it will widen to 16.3 meters. It is to be the world's longest crossing for pedestrians and cyclists only. It will be built at the level of Karowa Street on the left bank and Okrzei Street on the right bank, connecting the vicinity of the University Library with the Praga Port.
Photo: UM St. Warsaw
The decision to build this bridge is a symbolic moment for me. This investment perfectly reflects the vision of Warsaw I believe in. A city that until now has been an ideal place to work, and now - thanks to the changes we have already started - will become an ideal place to live.
said Rafał Trzaskowski in announcing his decision
Revitalization of Praga
The bridge is expected to change the perception of this part of the boulevards and facilitate communication between the two banks. The bridge will create a new pedestrian connection between the Vistula boulevards, which are a spectacular leisure destination visited by crowds almost all year round, and the Praga bank of the Vistula, which is more natural and undeveloped. The existing Śląsko-Dąbrowski Bridge is difficult to access for pedestrians and does not encourage cyclists. With the new crossing, crossing from one bank to the other is expected to be easy and convenient.
Photo: City Hall of Warsaw
It is not only the banks of the Vistula that will benefit from the new bridge. It will be an opportunity for the Praga district, which is undergoing revitalization, to get closer to the city center and gain a convenient connection to the university campus in Powisle. The string of Okrzei and Ząbkowska streets may become a new axis - Prague's equivalent of the Royal Route. Today Okrzei ends with the Vistula River overgrowth. After the bridge is opened, a person walking this route will find himself in a few minutes on the Vistula boulevards. And further - along Karowa Street - he will quickly find himself in the vicinity of Krakowskie Przedmieście.
Rafal Trzaskowski
The budget is to allocate about PLN 180 million for the construction of the bridge . The costs include paths, sidewalks, ramps, lighting, drainage and the structure itself. The planned construction time for the bridge is 2 - 3 years.
Photo: UM St. Warsaw
