After opening the two-lane Zakopane road to Nowy Targ, traffic jams moved further

Work is underway to prepare the design of the Nowy Targ bypass. The so-called social variant of the southern bypass route was presented to representatives of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA), who are to comment on this proposal at the next meeting in December. The meeting at the Krakow headquarters of the General Directorate is to concern technical analysis and design options taking into account local government proposals regarding the southern bypass.

– We have come closer to a common version of the bypass route, which is required and necessary for Nowy Targ and the entire region. Failure to implement it could cause communication paralysis of the city in the future. Without this bypass, we can already see traffic jams throughout Nowy Targ, especially in the so-called rush hours. We will agree to the GDDKiA variant provided that specific modifications proposed by local governments are introduced and taken into account. The idea is to ensure that drivers driving from Zakopane towards Pieniny and Nowy Sącz and back can enter the bypass without having to enter ul. Szaflarska in Nowy Targ, because it would cause additional difficulties in city traffic – explained the mayor of the Nowy Targ commune, Wiesław Parzygnat.

Before the two-lane section of the Zakopianka Rdzawka – Nowy Targ section was opened to drivers, during the tourist season there were many-kilometer traffic jams at the intersection in Klikuszowa near Nowy Targ. Now the road to the Tatra Mountains is jammed after leaving the two-lane road near Szaflary. Drivers going towards Białka Tatrzańska choose local roads, causing major traffic difficulties.

According to the spokesman for the Krakow branch of GDDKiA, Kacper Michna, last year the General Directorate submitted an application for issuing an environmental decision for the southern bypass of Nowy Targ, which is to connect with the two-lane section of Zakopianka, opened in September, and national road 49 towards Białka Tatrzańska and the border crossing with Slovakia in Jurgów.

– The application is currently being processed by the Mayor of Nowy Targ Commune, and we are preparing an environmental impact assessment report. In the application, we indicated three variants of the route, including the one we preferred. The investment is included in the government Program for the Construction of 100 bypasses for 2020-2030. Construction is planned for 2029-2031 – explained the spokesman of the Krakow branch of GDDKiA.

Another important investment to relieve traffic jams to Zakopane is to rebuild the existing section of DK 47, i.e. the popular Zakopane route from the junction in Nowy Targ to Zakopane. Due to the development, it is not planned to build a multi-lane road along its entire length, but widening of the existing road is possible – only on some sections additional lanes may be created. The investment was divided into two stages: Nowy Targ – Szaflary and Szaflary – Zakopane.

– We are preparing preliminary design proposals for the Nowy Targ – Szaflary section. For the Szaflary – Zakopane section, we are preparing detailed designs and an application for an environmental decision – explained Michna.

The widening of the last section of Zakopianka is planned for 2028-2030.

The new dual carriageway national road No. 47 from Rdzawka to Nowy Targ was opened to drivers on August 30, 2024. It is almost entirely routed along a new trail, west of the old Zakopianka. The route is 16.1 km long, has two lanes in each direction, and will ultimately be connected to other roads through four junctions – Obidowa, Klikuszowa and the previously mentioned Nowy Targ Południe and Zachód.

Ultimately, because at the time of commissioning, the Klikuszowa junction, which will connect both Zakopianki – the old and the new one, had not been completed. The existing DK47 runs approximately 2 m above the new roundabout built at the Klikuszowa junction. To connect both roads, the old Zakopianka must be rebuilt. This is one of the last stages of work on this construction site. However, as reported by the Podhale24.pl portal, “works on the reconstruction of the Klikuszowa Junction are coming to an end.”