The bridges over the river and the Kwisa Canal crown the completion of works on Świętoszów’s infrastructure, which began with road repairs in 1992—shortly after the Russian Federation’s troops left the Świętoszów area. The schedule of renovation and construction works records several stages: the construction of temporary bridges at the turn of 1992 and 1993, repairs to the surfaces of access roads in 1996, the reconstruction of intersections in 1998, the preparation of road reconstruction designs in 2002, and the construction of the two final bridges, carried out from 2006 to 2008.
The reconstruction and renovation of Świętoszów’s infrastructure through 2004 cost nearly PLN 5.3 million. They were made possible thanks to financial support from the Osiecznica municipality.
The MS-54 bridge over the Kwisa River, built in 2006, is made of steel; length: 106 m, carriageway width: 6 m; total value of the works: over PLN 1.16 million. Construction: Military Unit 3527 Niska.
The DMS-65 bridge over the Kwisa Canal leading to the hydroelectric power plant was built in 2007–2008 in place of the former wooden bridge. Length: 34 m, carriageway width: 6 m, with pedestrian pavements—the total width of the structure is 10.8 m; total value of the works: over PLN 1.9 million. Construction: Głogów Military Unit; reconstruction of the bridge approaches: Sudeckie Przedsiębiorstwo Robót Drogowych Sp. z o.o., Jelenia Góra.
“The start of the works in Świętoszów ended the 48-year period of Soviet troops’ presence in Poland and began the process—continuing to this day—of eliminating post-Russian damage and incorporating our country into the former PGW garrisons,” said the Bolesławiec County Head at the opening, Cezary Przybylski. “Isaac Newton said: ‘People build too many walls and not enough bridges.’ Today we have built another bridge, which will allow the residents of Świętoszów to travel freely within the county,” the county head added.
The county head emphasized that today’s opening was symbolic, as three county heads took part in it during whose terms the renovations and construction took place: current Bolesławiec County Councilor Krzysztof Konopka, Bolesławiec Mayor Piotr Roman, and current Bolesławiec County Head Cezary Przybylski.
Those who received special thanks for supporting or participating in the construction works included: Deputy Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Jerzy Szmajdziński, Major General Paweł Lamla, Brigadier General Aleksander Bortnowski, Mayor Piotr Roman, Osiecznica Municipality Head Waldemar Nalazek, and many other people involved in creating the two new structures.
While presenting acknowledgments to all those honored, the Chair of the County Council quoted a certain classic: “I am glad that there are people who not only say what should be done, but simply do it—people who always appear wherever help is needed,” said Karol Stasik.
The Head of Osiecznica Municipality said in a television interview: “At last, after several years of efforts and construction, the new bridges will begin serving the residents of Świętoszów. They had a major transportation problem because the road was impassable and a detour to Bolesławiec via Żagań had to be arranged, which was about 40 km long. Now, however, transportation will proceed without problems,” said Waldemar Nalazek.
(information: County Office/ KG)