A road to admire

Efficient communication is of key importance for citizens, thus road investments are one of our priorities. Motorway A4 and the Road Intercity Route Ruda Śląska ensure excellent communication between our city and most of the region. However, we wanted to optimise the road system even further through the connection between the two road arteries. This investment is important not only for the city but for the whole voivodeship. The construction of this connection “released” very attractive investment areas. Plots with good communication system attract investors, which means revenue from their sales for the city, new workplaces and increased tax income, enabling to finance further investments.

The Union project covered the execution of the second and third section of the N-S route. The construction of the fragment from 1 Maja Street to Bukowa Street, along with a two-level node, started in June 2015. Under the performed works, Bukowa Street, earlier a dead end, was extended to the tie with ks. Niedzieli Street, facilitating the access from the eastern districts in the direction of Zabrze and Gliwice. In May 2017, the construction of the next section from Bukowa Street to Kokota Street started, also including a two-level node. Additionally, a road bridge was erected. This section was commissioned in September 2018. The whole investment was completed on degraded, post-industrial landfill areas, additionally cut through by a mining fault. This required the use of advanced technology.

During the performance of earth works, one encountered deposits of black coal, which had not been expected in building documentation. An unusual phenomenon we had to face was the relocation of a 70-tonne reinforced concrete shelter, dating back to the times before the World War II.

Due to the mining impact, the section from 1 Maja Street to Brukowa Street was equipped with a monitoring system. Sensors transmitting data about the displacement and tension enable fast reaction to the risk of road damage.

The N-S route is a huge facilitation of life and daily commute not only in Ruda Śląska but in the entire agglomeration. The travel time to Katowice or Gliwice has been reduced by several minutes already. It is also easier to travel to northern districts of Ruda: Godula and Orzegów. The construction of N-S also created a connecting section that extended Bukowa Street to ks. Niedzieli Street. The development of this road served to shorten the access to part of Bielszowice or further towards Zabrze.

My family and I also use the pavements and cycling routes executed along the route. They offer excellent communication conditions as they are surrounded by plenty of greenery. Therefore, in spite of heavy vehicle traffic in close vicinity, cycling on the demarcated routes is pleasant. Maybe it would be perfect if there were fewer hills along the way.

The construction of the N-S route changes the neighbourhood too. Near the branching to Kokota Street, the shelters dating back before the World War II were renovated. The change of lighting ensured better illumination of this place. Two new bust stops and further cycling routes were also erected. We can see that numerous companies appear along the whole route. I am happy that all this helps Ruda Śląska grow. I think other cities can envy us this investment.

I hope that soon the final section of the N-S route will be created to tie it to the motorway. When it happens, the access to A4 will take a few minutes only and there will be no risk of wasting time waiting for traffic lights on several crossroads to change.

In addition, the traffic on currently heavily crowded 1 Maja Street and Kokota Streets should also be greatly reduced. This should first of all apply to the truck traffic, which is very dense in this area. I keep my fingers crossed for the city and road developers to help them complete the missing section as soon as possible. I cannot wait to travel the entire route from the Road Intercity Route to the motorway – both by car and on my bike.