Today a tunnel under the Świna strait opens, linking Wolin island with Uznam island, where the administrative, service, and coastal areas of Świnoujście are located. After years of planning and delays, residents and visitors can move between these regions more easily than ever before.
Tunnel under Świna
The project, long discussed and repeatedly postponed, was carried out with local government collaboration. The total cost reached about PLN 1 billion, financed through a combination of a sectoral infrastructure program and city funds, with the majority coming from the program and a smaller share from municipal resources.
The works include the Świna Street tunnel itself, two carriageways running in opposite directions, separated by a concrete barrier, and the accompanying access routes that connect to the tunnel. The entire package spans about 3.2 kilometers and integrates the road network needed to reach the tunnel.
The announcement of the project and its commissioning inspired lively discussion in the media across borders, with some voices in Germany suggesting that more travelers might choose the Polish side for affordability and easier access to Świnoujście.
Digging the Mierzeja Wiślana (Vistula Spit) Channel
On the anniversary of the conflict year, a major investment known as Przekop Mierzei Wiślanej was launched. It enables Poland to use the waters of the Vistula Lagoon more freely. The project, estimated at around PLN 2 billion, is fully funded from the national budget and marks a pivotal shift for regional connectivity. Once finished, the Elbląg Canal deepening and port modernization will help Elbląg emerge as a top Polish port, providing a significant boost to the broader region.
Beyond economic gains, the initiative supports energy and strategic autonomy by reducing external dependencies. Prior arrangements limited Polish access to the Vistula Lagoon, influenced by activities at the Piława Strait. The policy shifts resulting from this project strengthen Poland’s influence over local waters and support a more independent regional posture.
Baltic Pipe gas pipeline
Last autumn, the Baltic Pipe gas line began operations, reinforcing energy security after Russia halted gas supplies via the Yamal route in spring. The project, developed with Norway and Denmark, was pushed forward under successive Polish administrations and involved concerted effort by policymakers who believed the project would eventually prove its worth. The first gas deliveries from Norway reached Polish consumers on October 1, with volumes rising toward a full annual capacity of 10 billion cubic meters by year’s end. This milestone is viewed as a cornerstone of Poland’s shift toward energy independence, reducing reliance on Russian gas amid geopolitical pressures.
Tunnel under Luboń Mały Mountain
Mid-November of the recent year saw the opening of Poland’s longest tunnel, extending over two kilometers along the S-7 highway between Repair and Skomielna Biała, carved beneath Luboń Mały mountain. The tunnel features two boreways, each with two 3.5-meter-wide lanes and a 3-meter emergency shoulder. A fire-resistant door system provides at least 120 minutes of protection. Inside, a separate emergency passage exists for responders, measuring 3.5 meters in width and 3.3 meters in height to ensure rapid access to any part of the tunnel regardless of traffic conditions. The project required more than five years of work, including around-the-clock drilling, during which unstable ground and landslides necessitated redesigns. The investment totaled about PLN 1 billion, funded roughly half from the national budget and half from the EU’s Infrastructure and Environment Operational Program.
Investments in the LNG terminal in Świnoujście
In autumn 2023, another LNG storage and regasification facility was planned at the LNG terminal in Świnoujście, intended to increase annual LNG capacity to 8.3 billion cubic meters. The terminal, which can accommodate 5 billion cubic meters, began operation in 2016 and has since been expanded by government action. The expansion, paired with the Baltic Pipe, strengthens Poland’s gas independence. A major, long-term infrastructure initiative underway involves the construction of a Central Communication Port on a large tract of land acquired through voluntary buyouts, with anticipated commissioning in the mid-to-late part of the decade. Preparations are also underway for roughly 2,000 kilometers of new railway lines forming part of the Strategic Transportation Hub, expected to greatly improve national connectivity to the new airport and between regions.
All these large-scale projects have gathered momentum in recent months, reflecting a broader drive to upgrade transport and energy infrastructure across the country. This shift aims to improve mobility, resilience, and regional development nationwide. The work aligns with ongoing modernization efforts and serves as a cornerstone for future growth across Poland.
Note: content reflects summarized developments reported by multiple news outlets and contextualized for ongoing national infrastructure strategy.
Source attribution: wPolityce.