Although the project was ready as early as 2019, it was only recently that PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe finally concluded a contract with a consortium of Torprojekt and Kuryłowicz & Associates to design two new stops on Warsaw's cross-city line and new couplings beyond East Warsaw. The contract - including author's supervision - will run until the end of June 2029.
Warsaw's largest rail modernization
The renovation of Warsaw's cross-city line is the most important railroad investment in the capital of recent times. The new project is being designed by a consortium of Torprojekt and Kurylowicz & Associates, commissioned by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe. The goal of the modernization? To improve the capacity of rail traffic and create more favorable communication conditions for Warsaw residents. The project is primarily two new stops, which the investor has locatedat the de Gaulle traffic circle and at Wybrzeze Kosciuszkowskie.
Visualization of Warszawa Wschodnia | © Kuryłowicz & Associates
Significant changes will take place at the Warszawa Śródmieście station. Currently, there are three platforms there and there are two tracks. Instead, there will be two platforms and four tracks for trains. Despite these changes, the character of the interiors will remain consistent with the original architectural solutions. Some of the original decor designed by Jerzy Soltan and Zbigniew Ihnatowicz will be restored. Historic mosaics by Wojciech Fangor will be restored and exposed. As part of the investment, Varsovians and visitors will also get an underground link between the Centrum subway station, the Downtown platforms and the Central Station. The link will run under the railroad tracks and will be accessible to travelers from the mezzanine level of the Centrum subway station.
With respect for historic architectural elements
Meanwhile, the Warsaw Powiśle railway station, which is listed in the register of monuments by the Mazovian Voivodeship Historic Preservation Officer, is to be excluded from passenger traffic. Its space is to be used for pedestrian communication between the upper and lower levels of the Warsaw Escarpment. Despite the loss of its original function, the historic upper pavilion and the beautiful canopies of the Powiśle platform by architects Piotr Szymaniak and Arseniusz Romanowicz will be renovated.
Warsaw Ochota | © Kuryłowicz & Associates
The modernization also includes the Warsaw East station. A hall covering all platforms will be built. The underground layout of the station will also be rebuilt, which involves widening the passageways, creating more comfortable conditions for passenger traffic.
visualization | © Kurylowicz & Associates
greenery, or linear park
It turns out that the reconstruction of Warsaw's cross-city line is an excellent opportunity to plan a linear park in the heart of the city. The park could be located partly over the modernized line, in its surroundings, and would start over the partially covered Warszawa Ochota stop and end at the stop by the de Gaulle'a traffic circle. The string could naturally connect to the city's greenery system. The linear park is an idea that goes beyond the intentions of the currently developed project for PKP PLK and requires environmental consultations with representatives of the City of Warsaw. Nevertheless, its potential is worth considering. Here, too, we hope that the railroaders will take advantage of the opportunity presented by the renovation of the cross-city line and make use of the space available above the tracks, especially in the downtown section of the line.
According to Trakcja, as of today the design work under the contracts and annexes is 15% complete. The contract - with author's supervision - will be implemented until June 25, 2029.
