Warsaw. Difficulties on Aleje Jerozolimskie. Narrowing, detours, difficulties

The contractor of the tram route to the Western Railway Station is planning to expand the work area and will soon start building a tram tunnel under Aleje Jerozolimskie. “Pads” between the roads have already been built. This will allow you to close from night from Friday to Saturday, October 18-19 the southern road – towards the center – at the Western Railway Station (i.e. between Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 and Sokołowskiego “Grzymały” streets).

“Drivers will travel in both directions on the northern road. There will be three lanes in each direction – two public lanes and bus lanes,” Tramwaje Warszawskie reported.

People going to the center will have one lane less after the intersection with Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 Street. A few dozen meters further, they will cross to the other line, and they will return to the proper road a bit before the intersection with Sokołowskiego “Grzymały” Street. In turn, the left lane of Aleje Jerozolimskie towards Włochy will be closed from Sokołowskiego “Grzymały” street. There will be an additional turning lane at the intersection for those driving from the center.

Tram drivers will also occupy the sidewalk and bicycle path along Aleje Jerozolimskie, on the side of the Five Sisters Park. A three-meter-wide pedestrian and bicycle path will be marked across the construction site. Also between Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 Street and the construction site, cyclists will have to share the space with pedestrians.

“The underpass under Aleje Jerozolimskie will be open, but one of the stairs leading to it on the park side will be closed. The sidewalk on the northern side of the road, next to the Western Railway Station, will be several dozen centimeters narrower,” Tramwaje Warszawskie reported.

Buses will run in both directions using bus lanes marked on the northern road. The stop for lines going towards Włochy and Wola will not change its location. However, the stop towards the center will be moved slightly further, towards Sokołowskiego Street “Grzymały”.

Although the passability of Aleje Jerozolimskie will be maintained during the construction of the tunnel, as announced, significant difficulties are expected at this point. There is heavy traffic here almost 24 hours a day. Traffic jams are inevitable.

Therefore, during the works, the contractor recommends drivers to choose alternative routes.

“In order to reduce difficulties and improve travel on the detour route, two lanes will be marked in the tunnel under the Zesłańców Syberyckich roundabout, connecting Aleje Jerozolimskie from Ursus and Pruszków with al. Prymasa Tysiąclecia, and in the central part of the passage under the tracks along al. Prymasa Tysiąclecia. These changes will be introduced gradually, next week,” the tram drivers noted.

The tram tunnel will be built under the ceiling method. First, the contractor will dismantle the surface layers and remove any interference.

Then he will start building guide walls for diaphragm walls and build a barrier protecting against the inflow of groundwater using the so-called technology. jet-grouting (high-pressure jet injection).

After completing the diaphragm walls and the upper ceiling, the surface area will be recreated, including the roadway. Further work will be carried out underground, from top to bottom.

Tram drivers also announce further changes. They will take place in the coming months. “The works in Aleje Jerozolimskie will be carried out in stages – while maintaining the street's passability. The contractor will occupy subsequent parts of the avenue, and traffic will be postponed. Difficulties in this place should end around the summer holidays of 2025,” they informed.

Moreover, at the turn of October and November, the contractor also plans to expand the work area in Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 Street. They will cover the section between Szczęśliwicka and Grójecka. “Here, too, drivers will travel on one road in both directions,” Tramwaje Warszawskie announced.

Tram route along Bitwy Warszawskiej 1920 Street it will be over one and a half kilometers long. One third will be in a tunnel – this is the first underground tram route in the capital. The tunnel exit will be located between the roads of the Battle of Warsaw 1920 (between the Automotive and Secondary School Complex and the Ibis hotel). The first ground stop will be at Szczęśliwicka. In turn, a junction will be built at Grójecka Street, allowing trams to turn towards the center, Okęcie or the Banach loop.

900 meters of tracks will be green and covered with sedum. The travel time from Grójecka to the West Railway Station will be five minutes, and from Metro Politechnika – fifteen minutes. According to the city hall, the investment will be ready in 2026. Its value is PLN 363 million.