Thirteen kilometres of the S16 Borki Wielkie – Mrągowo expressway and three kilometres of the single-lane Mrągowo bypass have been put into service, the Ministry of Infrastructure announced on Tuesday. The investment cost over PLN 625 million.
National road no. 16, on which the majority of the modernized road is located, is called the “communication spine of Warmia and Mazury”, because this route crosses the entire region from west to east. It includes the main cities: Iława, Ostróda, Olsztyn, Mrągowo, Mikołajki, Orzysz and Ełk.
New episode
“The S16 expressway has a chance to become the backbone for both the economic and tourist development of north-eastern Poland. A contract has already been signed for the next stage from Barczewo to Biskupiec, and soon we will be signing a contract for the implementation of the section from Barczewo to Olsztyn. We will do everything to ensure that the construction of the S16 proceeds smoothly,” said Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Stanisław Bukowiec, quoted in the ministry's press release.
The section of the S16 that has been put into operation is an extension of the dual carriageway route between Biskupiec and Borki Wielkie, which General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways opened to drivers in 2014. The new section of the S16 runs through Borki Wielkie, Sorkwity, Nowe Bagienice, Bagienice, Marcinkowo, and then bypasses Mrągowo from the south-west. This means that those driving from Olsztyn to Mikołajki will not have to enter Mrągowo. Driving through this town during the tourist season took an hour or more.
Construction for 625 million zlotys
On the new section of the road, which bypasses villages such as Sorkwity, the number of intersections has been reduced and direct access to farmland and properties has been eliminated.
The construction of the 13 km road from Borek Wielkie to Mrągowo and the 3 km Mrągowo bypass cost over PLN 625 million. The money came from the Government Program for the Construction of National Roads until 2030. The road was built by PORR.
Main image source: gov.pl