Work starts on the new Metropolitan Station

One of the largest and most important investments in the city, which Lublin has been waiting for a long time, is entering the implementation stage. The station will be built between Młyńska, Gazowa and Dworcowa streets meeting the requirements of the 21st century. It will integrate different modes of transport and become the communication hub not only for the city but for the entire region. As part of the investment, a completely new road system will be built around the station, which will improve the traffic and accessibility of the new facility. I am sure that the Metropolitan Station will become a showpiece of Lublin – says Krzysztof Żuk, the Mayor of Lublin.

First of all, the site has to be cleared out. On the already fenced construction site of over 2 hectares, the contractor has started the preparatory works involving the demolition of the existing buildings and infrastructure. Currently, the internal installations in the buildings are being dismantled. The work also includes the relocation of underground utilities.

The construction of the Metropolitan Station is an organisational and technical challenge. The work is being carried out simultaneously on a huge area of over 4 hectares. This requires the contractor to organise and coordinate the specialist work particularly efficiently. We will make every effort to minimise the inconvenience the works might cause to residents of the city – says Artur Szymczyk, Deputy Mayor for Investment and Development.

The first stage of the works will see no changes in the traffic organization. These will take place only when the works on the road infrastructure are carried out, which is planned for the second half of February. Then it will be necessary to close Gazowa Street, which will collide with the newly constructed main building of the station, which is the key element of the whole project made of mostly glass and concrete. Next to the main building, there will be independent bus platforms covered by a glass roof supported by columns, which will also have a decorative function. The building of the multifunctional station is characterised by the use of a number of environmentally-friendly solutions. Energy for heating the building will be provided by geothermal heat pumps. The idea of a “building within a building”, i.e. a glass wall with a low heat transfer coefficient surrounds the main hall of the station to reduce the energy consumption. The roofs over the bus stands will be covered with photovoltaic panels, the efficiency of which will allow the building to be completely energy self-sufficient. Another solution is the use of anti-smog paving stones. Under the station building there will be an underground parking for 174 cars of about 7,500 sqm. The roof will be greened, with a focus on plant species that are particularly efficient at purifying the air. A special rainwater recycling system will provide water for watering the plants and for sanitary purposes. The total area of the three-storey station building is over 18,000 sqm. The facility will allow pedestrians and people with disabilities to move around without obstacles.

The scope of the construction works also includes the modernisation of the surrounding streets: Dworcowa, Młyńska, 1 Maja, Pocztowa and Gazowa. After revitalisation, Dworcowy Square will get a new look, becoming a decorative promenade that is functionally connected to the main entrance of the station. In front of the station there will be parking bays with Kiss & Ride spaces and a TAXI stand. 1 Maja Street will become an architectural extension of Station Square.
The project also provides for the construction of departure platforms for buses and public transport with roofing, as well as the construction of internal access roads, parking stands, squares, pavements and green areas. The station will feature 43 departure platforms for inter-city communication. The total area of maneuvering yards and platforms will exceed 19,000 sqm. In addition, the contract provides for the installation and implementation of smart transport systems, in particular using information and communication technologies, combined with a complete passenger service, passenger and stop information systems. As part of the investment, street lighting, trolley bus traction, storm water drainage and technological channels will also be reconstructed. The deadline for the investment is the end of July 2022.

The construction of Metropolitan Station and the reconstruction of the transport system in its vicinity is the most important part of the Integrated Transport Centre project for the Lublin Functional Area, which is co-financed by the European Union under the Regional Operational Programme for the Lubelskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020. The total value of the project is approximately PLN 300 million, of which over PLN 173 million is co-funded by the EU. The implementation of the whole project is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2022.