Drivers travelling on the A4 motorway in the direction of Zgorzelec are drawing attention to a pronounced uneven section around kilometre 32. A reader pointed out that the unevenness is particularly noticeable at motorway speeds. In his report, he called it a “bump” and pointed to possible consequences for cars and traffic safety:

I am writing to kindly ask you to take an interest in and publicise the problem with the road surface on the A4 motorway in the direction of Zgorzelec. The problem is located at approximately kilometre 32 of the motorway, where the bridge connects with the rest of the roadway. At this point, the asphalt surface was damaged, creating a very pronounced uneven section (the so-called bump). Driving over this unevenness at motorway speed also carries the risk of damaging suspension components, tyres or rims. Repeated, strong impacts can lead to accelerated wear of components and, in extreme cases, even to deformation of wheel rims or other costly vehicle failures.

Drivers slow down to as little as 60 km/h

According to the reader, the problem also affects traffic safety. As the man points out, some drivers significantly reduce their speed before the uneven section:

To cross this section safely, many drivers are forced to slow down to around 60 km/h. Such a sudden reduction in speed on a motorway poses a real threat to traffic safety, particularly when vehicles travelling behind do not expect such heavy braking.

A speed limit of 80 km/h is currently in force at the location of the uneven section. However, the reader points out that the speed limit itself does not resolve the problem.

It should also be emphasised that a speed limit of 80 km/h is in force at the location of the uneven section. Unfortunately, introducing this limit does not solve the problem. Even at the speed indicated by the signage, driving over the damaged section of the road causes a very pronounced impact felt by the driver and passengers. The speed limit is only a temporary measure and does not eliminate the cause of the problem, which should be addressed through a permanent road-surface repair. Moreover, the problem is not new. It occurs regularly and returns practically every year, suggesting that the repairs carried out so far have merely been temporary and do not address the cause of the damage.

GDDKiA explains what causes the “bumps”

We asked a GDDKiA spokesperson to explain the causes of the uneven sections and the plans for repair. Magdalena Szumiata said that the problem is related to the specific structure of the road surface and high temperatures:

Uneven sections forming at the junction of the concrete and bituminous surfaces, colloquially referred to as “bumps”, are caused by the expansion of concrete slabs under the influence of high temperatures. Within the available financial resources, we are systematically carrying out maintenance work, including milling the road surface and replacing the wearing course where such deformations occur. When “bulges” appear, the locations are immediately marked with appropriate warning signs and graduated speed limits, reducing the permitted speed from 140 km/h to 110 km/h and then to 80 km/h.

The GDDKiA spokesperson also confirmed that the report concerns a specific bridge structure on the A4.

The location indicated by the reader concerns a bridge structure over the Kwisa River, on the northbound carriageway of the A4. Last week, we milled the road surface there to the extent possible. However, due to a local depression in the road surface at this location, causing longitudinal unevenness, we maintained the speed limit at 80 km/h.

Temporary repairs have already been carried out. What about a permanent solution?

GDDKiA assures that work to remove this type of unevenness is being carried out on an ongoing basis. However, the problem near the bridge over the Kwisa requires, as the response indicates, more comprehensive intervention. Magdalena Szumiata:

(...) we are currently carrying out ongoing repairs in locations where “bumps” occur in order to provide the safest and most comfortable travelling conditions possible. The permanent removal of the unevenness will require more extensive work to repair the concrete road-surface structure. However, carrying out this scope of work depends on obtaining the necessary financial resources.

For now, drivers must therefore comply with the 80 km/h speed limit in force at this location and exercise particular caution when passing through the bridge area on the A4.