Works on completion of the Elbląg river waterway
Since March 2025, work has been underway on the design documentation for the final three kilometers of the Elbląg River waterway, including a one-kilometer section added to the “Construction of a Waterway Connecting the Vistula Lagoon with the Gulf of Gdańsk” Program in 2024.
In brief
Design work on the final 3 km section of the Elbląg river fairway began in March 2025 under the programme linking the Vistula Lagoon with the Gulf of Gdańsk. The section will be 36 m wide at the bottom and 5 m deep, with a 160 m turning basin agreed with the Port of Elbląg Authority and the City of Elbląg. Earthworks continue on 6.6 km of the river, a September tender covers dredging of 7.45 km, and sediment tests found excess polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The Regional Director for Environmental Protection in Olsztyn opened proceedings on 17 September, with completion planned by 2027.
Revised concept and technical parameters
Originally, the waterway was planned to terminate approximately 1 km before the Unii Europejskiej Bridge, at the junction of the Jagielloński Canal. The final two kilometers were to have a bottom width of 20 meters. After consultations with the Port of Elbląg Authority and the City of Elbląg, it was decided to increase the scale to ensure consistent navigational parameters and safe access for larger vessels.
The current design envisages a three-kilometer section with a 36-meter bottom width and a 5-meter depth, along with a turning basin of 160 meters in diameter. Some sections will require bank reinforcement, which depends on obtaining the necessary permits, including environmental decision, water permit, and construction permit.
Preparatory works – dredging, clearing, and sediment testing
To maximize efficiency within the periods allowed by the environmental decision, preparatory works are underway.
On a 6.6 km stretch of the Elbląg River, earthworks are removing old reinforcements and bank remains. In September, a tender for dredging works (up to 5 m depth) covering 7.45 km was announced.
Additionally, ferromagnetic object removal from the riverbed has been completed on the last kilometer of the waterway section (P2 – Port), with the works finalized and accepted in September 2025.
Sediment testing conducted in April and September 2024 revealed exceedances of allowable levels for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To mitigate environmental risks, a contaminated spoil management plan was developed in April 2025. The initial tender for removal exceeded budget estimates, so a new tender is being prepared.
Environmental decision in progress
Since January, preparations for the Environmental Decision and Project Information Sheet have been ongoing. On 17 September 2025, the Regional Director of Environmental Protection in Olsztyn officially initiated the decision procedure.
Project completion – 2027 outlook
Given the complexity of the project—including the new one-kilometer section, adjustments to technical parameters, and required removal of contaminated sediments—the construction phase is expected to be completed by 2027.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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