TRAMWAY TERMINAL IN GDAŃSK OLIWA

Last year (2010) BPBK started work on an investment project regarding the execution of the conceptual design for the reconstruction of the tramway terminal in the Oliwa district.
The area of Stara Oliwa belongs to the most attractive areas of Gdańsk for tourism. It is a district of Gdańsk, which in connection with Jelitkowo makes up a valuable resort, especially in terms of its scenery qualities.
The existing tramway terminal is located in the vicinity of the historic Oliwa Park and one of the main streets of Gdańsk, Al. Grunwaldzka Street.

The primary intention for reorganizing the transport system in this area was to use the undeveloped area inside the terminal and create a more comfortable structure by reconstructing the old tramway and road system. The aim of the conceptual design is to create a junction integrating the designed tramway stop with the bus terminal and taxi rank. At the same time, the designed junction for change of transport means could play the role of a city square, which would be an element for upgrading the quality and diversity of the system of public spaces in the Oliwa district.

The conceptual design assumes removal of the existing tramway making up the terminal and replacing it with a simpler spatial planning. Trams ending their run in this place will have access stations along the platforms. Such a system will be adjusted only to bi-way trams.
The investment also covers the scope of the construction of the bus terminal with an infrastructure of stops, stop bays for buses and accesses along Al. Grunwaldzka Street and Opata Rybińskiego Street, as well as the possibilities of creating an underground car park with access to Rybińskiego Street and Obrońców Westerplatte Street.
The following stage of the works covers the reconstruction of the intersection of Al. Grunwaldzka Street with Opata Rybińskiego Street and Piastowska Street together with the infrastructure.
The basic elements of urban planning analyses, which have influenced the shape of the conceptual design are the possibility of upgrading transport and creating an integrative junction of group transport, upgrading pedestrian safety, the possibility of creating a new space for commercial functions in the southern part of the study.
The proposed solution assumes the possibility of the road system into wider reconstruction in the Oliwa district. It was assumed that in the future it will be possible to limit traffic in Opata Rybińskiego Street with a shift of through traffic in the direction of Osowa outside of the strict centre of Stara Oliwa. The purpose of this action is to protect the existing historic development and Oliwa Park against noise, vibrations and exhaust fumes and to create a safe pedestrian zone in this place. This assumption also regards Opacka Street, which constitutes a valuable alley amongst other to the Oliwa Cemetery.

The implemented changes regard one of the most valuable historic areas of Poland.
History for the first time recorded the existence of Oliwa at the end of the 12th century. During its expansion the district assumed the nature of a spa locality. An important element of everyday life of old Oliwa was transport. In 1870 the main road of Oliwa was covered with cobblestone (today’s Opata Rybińskiego Street). At the same time a railway connection was created from Gdańsk to Koszalin. It was then that the railway stations in Wrzeszcz, Sopot and Oliwa were created, also serviced by the fast city railway. An attempt was made to create a tramway line connecting Oliwa with Gdańsk. After laying the tracks the line was opened in a ceremony on 23 June 1873. Unfortunately, the tramway turned out unprofitable and survived only until 1879, when the tracks were dismounted on the section Wrzeszcz - Oliwa.
In the period 1885-1900 Oliwa was expanding fast. In 1890 more than 4000 residents were counted, while in 1900 – almost 6500 residents. The north part of Polanki was developed, today’s Opata Rybińskiego and Obrońców Westerplatte streets. Buildings on the east side of today’s Grunwaldzka Street were built. On 18 July 1908 a line from the market in Oliwa was launched (Am Markt) through Seestraße (Pomorska Street) to Jelitkowo. From the one-track line from the market in Oliwa through Pomorska Street to the bathing beach in Jelitkowo one had to change transport at the main entrance to Oliwa Park to the line to Downtown.
Presently the tramway line in the area of Oliwa is one of the key transport points of Gdańsk.

Added: February 2011