Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure, Andrzej Adamczyk, and the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Andrzej Bittel, inaugurated the modernised Gdańsk Main railway station which needed a PLN 120 million (EUR 27 million) investment co-financed by the EU through the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment. The renovation and modernisation of the historic station building of the station began in 2019.
“The completion of the modernisation of Gdańsk Main railway station was expected by many residents and tourists and is an important element of the great modernisation of the Polish railways carried out by our government. That is why I am convinced that the facility that will be made available today will be the pride of the city and its inhabitants,” the Minister of Infrastructure said.
The project covered the redecoration of the façade, works to provide increased space in the interior in particular in the station hall where all the glass windows were reconstructed. The station also gained in the functionality of the passenger service area. Station’s most important part is the hall which also serves as a waiting room where air conditioning systems have been installed. Around it, there are ticket offices, PKP Intercity customer service centre and InfoDworzec. There will be several commercial premises right next to the lobby, and more will be located in the arcade, to the left of the main entrance.
Two elevators and escalators were installed to provide fast and increased accessibility to the station’s facilities and platforms, and a spacious waiting room fitted with all needed amenities for parents with children was created. From the underground level, a tunnel connects the station building with the existing passages to the platforms and provide passengers access to public transport services, including a tram stop, providing access to the city centre.
The station was equipped with a modern passenger information system providing information on train arrivals and departures.
Architectural barriers in the station building and its surroundings have also been removed, making it fully accessible to people with disabilities which in addition benefit Braille and tactile signs.
The station has also become more environmentally friendly and safer. The heat pumps, air-conditioning units, as well as energy-saving lighting were installed in the building. The systems for partial recovery of rainwater and the used water are saving the consumption which allows for water recycling.
Gdańsk station has also been equipped with an intelligent building management system that optimises the consumption of electricity, heat and water. The modern security systems such as monitoring, access control or a burglary and assault signaling system as well as fire protection systems, ensure passengers safety and security.
The reconstruction of the railway station also covered its surroundings. The work consisted mainly in the construction of a new surface area, as well as the driveway infrastructure to the building, where kiss&ride facilities were marked out.
In addition to restoring the original colors of the walls, the oak windows of the ticket offices and the original door joinery were restored. The eastern stained glass combines motifs symbolising the power and openness of the city of Gdańsk, while the western one shows the strength of the railway. The side-stained glass windows combine geometric patterns with floral motifs.
Conservation works were an important element of the reconstruction of the station. The original shape of the building was recreated, with sloping roofs with turrets covered with copper sheet over the northern part. The roof of the station is covered with yellow and greenish zigzag ceramic tiles. The 48-meter tower of the station with clocks was renovated, as well as numerous architectural details on the façade, including the coats of arms of Gdańsk above the main entrance held by lions and above the large half-rosette, as well as the coat of arms of Poland on the top of the front façade. The group of coats of arms on the facade from the side of the platforms, as well as two winged axles – railway symbols – on the top of the roof above the main hall have also undergone renovation. The whole effect was emphasised by the new illumination of the station.
Gdańsk Main railway station was built between 1896 and 1900 in the so-called “Gdansk Renaissance” style now providing modern and comfortable space for passenger services.
The modernised station is “one of the most important and most difficult investments made under the Railway Station Investment Programme. Thanks to this modernisation, the inhabitants of Gdańsk have gained a railway station, which will certainly be one of the city’s landmarks. I hope that the modern and environmentally friendly building will make it easier for passengers and tourists to travel by rail to the Polish seaside.
Under the Railway Station Investment Programme, Poland will invest PLN 3 billion (EUR 674.7 million) to modernise nearly 200 rail stations across the country such as Gdańsk Wrzeszcz, Pruszcz Gdański and Żelistrzewo railway stations.
Photos: Dominik Paszliński | Gdańsk City Hall
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