Warsaw. Instead of a road tunnel, retention reservoirs. They want to reduce the “heat island” effect

As announced in the announcement by the Municipal Roads Authority, the first facilities to be built as part of the reconstruction of the quarter of Złota and Zgody streets are elements of infrastructure related to water and retention. “It is at the point of entry to the tunnel on Złota Street that we will build the technical rooms of the fountain. Two retention reservoirs will also be built,” the road workers indicate.

The first stage related to the liquidation of the road tunnel under Marszałkowska Street began at the end of June. It is being carried out by the city's Road Repair and Maintenance Plant. Then, the construction site will be taken over by Skanska, with whom the city signed an agreement for the comprehensive reconstruction of the area of ​​Złota and Zgody Streets. The next stage will consist of the demolition of retaining walls from the north and south on the section from Marszałkowska Street to the Wiecha Passage. “In addition to the retaining walls, the contractor will also liquidate the footbridge along the Wiecha Passage. The area at the entry point to the tunnel will be raised to level it with the street, both from the east and west,” ZDM announces.

At the height of Złota, a ground level crossing will be built across Marszałkowska Street, which will facilitate access to the Central Square, which is being built next to the Palace of Culture and Science.

Read more: The beginning of the metamorphosis of Złota and Zgoda. Big changes for drivers

As part of the work carried out, road workers decided to check how the reconstruction of Złota and Zgody streets would affect the environment and local climate conditions, including temperature and humidity.

“In cooperation with the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences, we have planned a study aimed at capturing the cooling effect that can be achieved by increasing the biologically active surface and getting rid of a large amount of concrete. That is why we have installed four sensors in this area that measure temperature and humidity until the start of the reconstruction,” informs ZDM.

The measurements will be repeated in the first summer period after the reconstruction is completed and 2-3 years after the changes, when the plants planted in this place have grown. The ultimate effect of the reconstruction is to be not only the creation of a pedestrian-friendly space, but also the reduction of the urban “heat island” effect and the improvement of water retention and circulation.

“Instead of a tunnel in the axis of ul. Złota and on the extension of the exit from it, we will build two interconnected retention reservoirs and technical rooms for two fountains. One retention reservoir will have a volume of approx. 400 cubic meters, and the area of ​​green areas supplied from the reservoir will be approx. 4,000 square meters,” the road workers calculate.

Road workers indicate that after the reconstruction of both streets, parking spaces on the surface will ultimately be designated for residents, suppliers and people with disabilities. Visitors will have to use the parking lot under Powstańców Warszawy Square, which will provide 420 spaces.

The organization of car traffic in this area will change significantly. Drivers will be able to turn left from Sienkiewicza Street onto Marszałkowska Street. In addition, Jasna Street on the section from Moniuszki Street to Złota will be two-way.