Revolution in Swinemünde: The Swinet tunnel changes everything!
Revolution in Swinemünde: The Swinet tunnel changes everything!
The big project that the residents of Swinemünde have been waiting for for decades has finally become a reality. The Swine tunnel, which connects the islands of Usedom and Wollin, has recently been put into operation and already has a noticeable influence on the region. The tunnel was opened two years ago and is the longest of the EU financed underwater tunnel in Europe, a milestone for people in the area, such as reported.
With the construction of the tunnel, an important dependence on ferry traffic ended, a change that is a noticeable relief, especially for the 40,000 inhabitants of Swinünde. Kamil Pyclik from the Northern Chamber of Commerce emphasizes that the investment can be considered without alternative. Around 7.2 million vehicles used the tunnel in the first two years, which corresponds to an average daily use of around 16,000 vehicles.
economic upswing and challenges
The tunnel not only increased the quality of life of the residents, but also attracted the economy. Swinünde is becoming increasingly attractive for investors, which led to an increase in both day guests and overnight tourism. According to Paula Szabunia, a resident, her everyday life has improved significantly through this new connection. "It is a revolution for people here in Swinemünde," says Wojciech Basałygo from the city administration.
But every medal has two sides. As Maciej Maciejewski, operator of a holiday apartment rental, emphasizes, there are concerns about the financial profitability of the project. The city is faced with higher financial burdens, since the grants for the ferry connections have been deleted and constant maintenance is necessary, since dangerous goods are still not allowed to be transported by the tunnel.
progress through EU financing
The Swinetunnel is not only a success for the local population, but also an example of EU co-cale policy in action. The construction was realized with a total investment of 191.5 million euros, with 162.3 million euros in funding from the EU. Elisa Ferreira, the commissioner for cohesion and reforms, described the tunnel as the result of successful cohesion policy. It is an investment in the future of border traffic and a step to promote cooperation between Poland and Germany.
With around 2.5 million visitors annually and an improved infrastructure, both commuters and tourists benefit from the new connection. The average pendulum for residents who work in Stettin was shortened to impressive two to three minutes, which has significantly simplified mobility in the region.
The Swinetunnel is therefore not only a technical masterpiece, but also a significant progress for the quality of life and the economic development of the region. The future challenges will surely remain in the discussion, but the first upswing is already clearly noticeable - in Swinünde, people know that "there is something" and they have taken a new way together.
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| Ort | Świnoujście, Polen |
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