In the past the cities and towns located on the Odra River, including Krosno Odrzańskie, were severely affected by floods. This happened, among others, in 1997 and 2010. The purpose of the investments launched in Krosno Odrzańskie at the beginning of this year, which are implemented under the OVFMP, is to improve flood safety for the city’s residents.
Over the next three years, wide ranging and long expected flood protection investments will be carried out in Krosno Odrzańskie, which are designed to protect its residents against floods such as those in 1997 or 2010. One of these investments aims to provide flood protection for the lower part of the city. The other one involves raising the historical bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie.
Embankment protection for Krosno Odrzańskie
The purpose of the implementation of this investment is to enhance flood protection for the southern part of the city of Krosno Odrzańskie. This project activity involves the construction of 9 new ring flood embankments, retaining walls, and mobile flood protection systems as well as the expansion or improvements of the flood relief channels, including installation of non-return flap valves on the existing stormwater drainage system.
The total length of constructed and rehabilitated embankment sections on the Odra River will be 6 kilometers, while for the relief channels it will be 2.5 kilometers. Additionally, slope stairs at ten locations and service roads, which can be used as pedestrian and bicycle paths by the local community and tourists, will also be constructed for the population of Krosno Odrzańskie. The implementation of this investment will increase the level of flood safety for more than 10,000 residents of Krosno Odrzańskie.
Given the current state of flood protection in Krosno Odrzańskie, in the event of a 100-year flood (p=1%) several hundred buildings are at risk of flooding, including mainly residential buildings in an area of approximately 60 ha. 31 historical sites listed in the register of historical monuments will also be protected.
Environmental Management Plan
Contract 1B.8 – Flood protection of Krosno Odrzańskie
Works are planned to commence in the first quarter of 2021. The cost is PLN 117 million. The Contractor is the Warsaw-based company Budimex S.A.
Raising of the 100-year bridge on the Odra River
The other investment involves raising the structure of the road bridge in Krosno Odrzańskie by nearly 2 meters using a jacking system, including repair of the bridge structure and reconstruction of the roadway and associated infrastructure. The reconstruction of the bridge aims to provide a minimum clearance of 5.25 m under the bridge in order to ensure efficient icebreaking operations on the Odra. These project activities are designed to increase the effectiveness of ice jam prevention operations, which will contribute to increasing the level of flood protection on the Odra in Krosno Odrzańskie and its area.
The bridge, which is a characteristic element of the city, was constructed in 1905 on the 900th anniversary of the grant of town privileges to Krosno. As a cultural heritage site, in 2013 it was listed in the register of historical monuments and is now under conservation protection. Due to this investment, the structure of the bridge will be renovated and the road system will be upgraded. To maintain the continuity of traffic for the population during the reconstruction of the main bridge, it is planned to erect a temporary detour bridge.
The Contract with the Contractor, the company STRABAG, was signed on January 12, 2021. The works are planned to be completed in the second quarter of 2023, while the contract value is more than PLN 72 million.
Both investments are financed by the Government of the Republic of Poland from state budget funds as well as from the loans of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (no. 8524 – PL) and the Council of Europe Development Bank (no. LD 1866).
