Flood protection is a priority of Państwowe Gospodarstwo Wodne Wody Polskie. To ensure safety of residents in regions facing particular flood hazard, Gospodarstwo carries out a comprehensive flood protection programme in the basin of the Oder and the Vistula. Different projects are implemented under it to improve the protection of residents. An example of flood-protection activities is the modernisation of flood embankments in Krosno Odrzańskie which will improve safety of 10 thousand people. Another action in this area is to increase the clearance of the road bridge to enable winter icebreaking actions which are to prevent ice jam floods characteristic of large rivers, including the Oder.
To improve flood protection in Krosno Odrzańskie, on 12 January 2021 Wody Polskie handed over the construction site for the performance of the task called “Flood Protection of Krosno Odrzańskie”. The representatives of Państwowe Gospodarstwo Wodne Wody Polskie signed also a contract for the alteration of the road bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie. The worth of both projects is PLN 189 million.
The project inauguration ceremony was attended by President of Wody Polskie Przemysław Daca. The other participants included Members of Parliament from the Land of Lubusz as well as the Voivode of Lubusz, Marshall of the Voivodeship of Lubusz, Starost of Krosno Odrzańskie and Mayor of Krosno Odrzańskie, and representatives of the work contractors.
President of Wody Polskie stressed that Wody Polskie carries out activities in the whole territory of Poland and emphasised the multi-dimensional significance of works both in the context of comprehensive water management and improved flood safety and from the perspective of the economic development of Poland.
“It is an ambition of Wody Polskie to become one of the most important investors among public entities. At present, we carry out numerous projects connected with water management, flood safety and navigation”, said Przemysław Daca, President of Wody Polskie, in his speech.
During the briefing, also Marek Cebula, Mayor of Krosno Odrzańskie, delivered a speech and reminded that the town suffered from flood many times. He also stressed the significance of the started projects which would improve the safety of residents but also ensure the town protection for several dozen years to come.
“All of us remember the year 1997 which took its toll from the town inhabitants and the entire Land of Lubusz. What we are doing now is a historic time, after 18 years of preparations. But the preparations are one thing. An important aspect is the decision and this is thanks to the decision of President Przemysław Daca, the Voivode and to the endeavours of the Members of Parliaments from the Land of Lubusz that it is possible to carry out projects which will be important for several dozen, or perhaps even one hundred, years to come”, said Marek Cebula. “I hope the residents will receive the projects with absolute understanding”, Mayor of Krosno Odrzańskie added.
Modernisation of embankments in Krosno Odrzańskie
The first of the tasks carried out comprises expansion of flood embankments of Krosno Odrzańskie along close to 6 km and the relief channels along more than 2.5 km. The project scope includes e.g. the construction of eight closure embankments protecting the areas separated by the Oder river and canals situated in the region exposed to the danger of being passed by high flood wave. What is more, to reinforce the flood protection, there are plans to carry out the following activities: expansion, alteration, throughput improvement and performance of erosion protections in beds of four relief channels in the town and performance of protections at the outlets of the existing stormwater sewers to the Oder river and the relief channels. Also the stormwater and seep water discharge system for water from town areas protected with embankments will be modernised.
Within the undertaking serving also for recreation purposes there will be service roads constructed as well which can be used by residents and visitors as pedestrian and bicycle paths. The circulation will be easier thanks to constructing escarpment stairs in ten locations. Work performance entails felling some trees and shrubs in the construction site. On 12 January, following the initiative of Mayor of Krosno Odrzańskie Marek Cebula, Wody Polskie signed a cooperation agreement, including with respect to the compensatory activities, e.g. new plantings which will be carried out once the works are completed. The project will be covered by the environment monitoring and carried out in line with all environmental procedures and wildlife conservation regulations. Detailed guidelines concerning protected species of plants and animals and their habitats will be followed, e.g. by using herpetological fences protecting local reptiles and amphibians from danger. The contract will be carried out under the Project of Flood Protection in the Basin of the Oder and the Vistula. It is co-funded from the funds of the State Budget and the World Bank. The works which to be concluded in the first half of 2023 are to cost PLN 117 million. The contractor is Budimex.
Alteration of the road bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie including access roads.
The second task consists in raising the road bridge structure in Krosno Odrzańskie, including its repair and alteration of the circulation route and accompanying infrastructure. This is also a component of the Project of Flood Protection in the Basin of the Oder and the Vistula. The structure alteration will increase the bridge load class and the clearance for vessels participating in the icebreaking action. Those activities are to increase the icebreaking efficiency which will contribute to increased flood protection on the Oder in Krosno Odrzańskie and in its vicinity. Although winter is mild, snow-free for another year in a row in connection with climate changes, even in such conditions several frosty days are enough for the ice to form which may contribute to ice jam floods destroying bridges and flood embankments.
What is more, thanks to the project, the bridge structure will be repaired and the circulation system modernised. The passage parameters will not be improved, meaning the roadway width will not change and the structure reinforcement to the load class C will not be perceptible for the drivers. The works to prepare an interim bridge are planned for the initial task implementation stage and will be agreed with the contractor, i.e. Strabag. The works are to be completed in the second quarter of 2023 while the contract value is to reach more than PLN 72 million. The contract is co-funded from the funds of the State Budget and the World Bank.
