Strengthening the Bridges WA39 and MA52 on Concession Motorway A2 (to 130 Tonnes Gross): 21-PL-TM-Bridges WA39 MA52

Programme(s): Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)-undefined

Topic(s): CEF-T-2021-MILMOB-WORKS

Type of action: CEF Infrastructure Projects

Project ID: 101079652

Objective:
The Project entails strengthening of two Bridges, namely WA39 and MA52 from 30 gross tonnes to the target load-capacity class I (i.e.: 130 gross tonnes). Both engineering objects are located on the A2 concession motorway, which belongs to the TEN-T network on the North Sea - Baltic Corridor and on the European route E30 (Cork – Omsk). Furthermore, WA39 and MA52 are among the 9 bridges, which have limited load capacity (up to 30 tonne total weight) on the A2 section of Września – Konin. Up to 2027, GDDKiA and the concessionaire plan to strengthen all 9 bridges on the Września - Konin section, which will make the entire A2 motorway available for heavy-duty vehicles (both civil and military). Then the bridges will be able to withstand the mass of fully loaded vehicles along their entire length on each lane (in accordance with the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU 2021/1328 of August 10, 2021). The aforementioned 9 bridges create indeed a bottleneck on A2 motorway, since the section A2 Września - Konin cannot be used for transportation of both civilian non-standard vehicles and heavy military equipment. This is a major obstacle and limits the mobility of Polish and allied troops (including the efficiency of European defense systems – mobility of the EU Battle Groups). As a result, it is necessary to divert part of traffic from A2 motorway to detours, which prolongs travel time, increases the emission of greenhouse gases and poses a threat to traffic safety on local roads. Elimination of the bottleneck on the EU core network is necessary, i.a, from the point of view of military and logistic mobility in the strategic east-west direction and improving the security of the EU borders - which in the current geopolitical situation (war in Ukraine, sealing the border with Belarus) becomes a priority. This investment is also part of the EU's strategic initiatives aimed at improving the military mobility (Action Plan on Military Mobility) and the Common Security and Defense Policy - strengthening the transport infrastructure (including the elimination of physical barriers) is one of the key tasks to enable the EU’s defense forces to respond quickly and effectively to threats and challenges and to prevent crises. Moreover, the investment is compliant and meets the assumptions of the National Plan for Military Mobility. The administrator of the A2 motorway is the concessionaire (Autostrada Wielkopolska S.A.), who is responsible for, i.a., maintenance and operational works. As part of the maintenance works, the concessionaire plans to renovate the bridges WA39 and MA52 in 2022-2023, however their reinforcement to 130 gross tons will be co-financed by CEF. The concessionaireis charged to: develop design documentation, obtain all administrative decisions and permits, conduct a tender to select a works Contractor, conclude a contract for construction works and perform the works. As a result of the strengthening, the load capacity of the two bridges will be 130 gross tons, which will enable the transport of heavy duty traffic - including military vehicles (dual use). The investment will consist in dismantling the existing spans of the bridge structure, replacing these spans with new ones and, if necessary, strengthening the existing supports, adjusting them to the applicable technical and construction requirements. A new bituminous surface will also be made.