The longest bridge in Podkarpacie is taking shape

The construction of the third bridge in Stalowa Wola is entering a decisive phase. A new crossing is being built along provincial road No. 855 and today you can see how it connects the two banks of the San River. The bridge is 1,760 meters long and is the longest structure of this type in the provincial road network in Podkarpacie and one of the longest structures of this type in Poland.

This is an investment that - as local government officials emphasize - will change the way the city and the entire region function.

The third bridge over the San River creates completely new possibilities. This is a new development horizon for Stalowa Wola. In terms of communication, transport and economy - emphasizes the mayor of the city, Lucjusz Nadbereżny.

An investment of strategic importance

The new bridge is expected to take over a significant portion of traffic, including heavy transport related to industry and the economic zone. Thanks to this, the existing road network will be relieved, and residents will gain greater safety and more efficient communication with neighboring communes.

Stalowa Wola, as an important industrial and defense center, will also gain a strategic connection.

The Marshal of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Władysław Ortyl, points out that the decision to build the bridge was dictated not only by economic development, but also by security issues.

Defense and security are currently not only buzzwords, but above all a necessity that requires us to take pre-emptive actions. This is why the bridge should be seen not only as a transport investment. This is an element of infrastructure that is important for the functioning of the entire region, also in situations requiring quick and efficient movement of people, equipment and goods - emphasizes the Marshal.

Advanced technology

The bridge over the San and Bukowa rivers and the extensive embankment area was divided into four independent parts: the southern flyover, the main bridge, the access flyover and the northern flyover.

The most characteristic element will be the main part with a cable-stayed structure with two pylons, made using modern extradosed technology.

The bridge itself, i.e. the current part, was the most difficult. It is made using extradosed technology, which is rare in Poland, and the MSS formwork used is transferred from span to span. An additional challenge was to create temporary supports in the river. Low water levels and hydrological drought made it very difficult for us. It is such elements that behind the seemingly simple structure, a road leading from one bank to the other, there is one of the most advanced engineering road projects currently being implemented in the region - says Michał Bracha, technical director of the contract.

The entire project includes not only the construction of a bridge, but also the expansion of the existing section of provincial road No. 855. The new communication corridor, nearly 5 km long, will connect the northern and southern parts of the city, leading through the area of ​​Brandwica and Rzeczyca Długa, and ending at the roundabout near the shopping mall in Stalowa Wola.

New viaducts and embankments were also built along the way, which will ensure collision-free traffic.

The value of the investment amounts to nearly PLN 400 million, of which over PLN 300 million comes from the Government Road Development Fund and PLN 95 million from the budget of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. Finishing works are almost finished and – weather permitting – the new route will be put into operation later this year.

The new bridge will not only shorten travel time, but will also open up completely new development opportunities for Stalowa Wola and the surrounding communes.