Karczunkowska viaduct taking shape

The past month has seen rapid progress on the viaduct. The eastern on-ramp is under construction, at a cracking pace. The massive mountain of earth piled up between Karczunkowska and the back of Biedronka is shrinking as it is scooped away and taken to build up the ramp. Between two rising concrete retaining walls, the earth is piled into place then tamped down with a plate compactor . After three weeks, it is about halfway there, growing from day to day. The entire character of Jeziorki is rapidly changing.

At this pace, I’d guess the basic structure of the viaduct will be ready by the end of October; then the roadway needs to be laid, asphalt, kerbstones, pavements, street lighting, road markings, stairs, bus stops, wheelchair lifts – the finishing touches take the longest. Despite the current pace, I cannot see the entire construction process being complete this year; with a fair wind, spring 2019 should see it ready.

Below: view along Karczunkowska looking west. The incline begins to rise up towards the viaduct.

Below: view along Kaczunkowska from the tracks looking east.

Left: the retaining wall, close to the junction of ul. Buszycka. Note the interlocking concrete segments and behind them thousands of cubic metres of soil.

Below: view of the viaduct from the platform of W-wa Jeziorki, the coal train line in the foreground. Note the provisional pedestrian crossing; it is unlikely such a convenient facility will be allowed to remain after the work is finished - despite the scarcity of traffic on this line towards Siekierki power station.

Below: the bus loop takes shape, around the bend in the road of the re-profiled ul. Gogolińska.

Below: scaffolding being dismantled around the flight of concrete steps leading down from the viaduct towards ul. Goglińska and the bus loop. A Radom-bound train passes beneath.

There is a hurry to get the road done. By spring of next year, work on the S7 from Węzeł Okęcie down to Grójec should kick off; I guess that the closure of ul. Baletowa where the expressway will pass over on a viaduct will mean traffic re-routed along Karczunkowska. By then, it will have to be 100% ready.

Bonus shot: "The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last-chance power drive..."

This time last year:
My father's return to Warsaw, 2017

This time two years ago:
My father's first visit to Warsaw in 40 years

This time three years ago:
What's worse - unemployment, or a badly-paid job?

This time four years ago:
A return to Liverpool

This time six years ago:
Too good to last (anyone remember OLT Express airline?)

This time seven years ago:
Poland's Baltic coast as a holiday destination

This time nine years ago:
The Warsaw they fought and died for?

This time 11 years ago:
Floods, rainbows and hope