We have already written some time ago about the proposal to build the eastern bypass of Bydgoszcz — a connection between Solec Kujawski and Osielsko. The joint declaration signed today (November 3) by local government representatives in support of pursuing this investment is certainly an important step forward, but the statement made by a representative of the Ministry of National Defense may prove to be even more significant.

The discussion about the eastern bypass of Bydgoszcz, as part of the Via Pomerania route, took place during the 5th Bydgoszcz Amber Route Forum. The presentations were preceded by the signing of a memorandum by the deputy head of the Bydgoszcz County and the mayors of the municipalities of Solec Kujawski, Unisław,  Chełmża, Osielsko, Dąbrowa Chełmińska, and Nowa Wieś Wielka. For the municipalities surrounding Bydgoszcz, this is a key project, as it would integrate the county by connecting towns currently divided by the city, forcing drivers to pass through its congested center.

The working version of this bypass, which has already been discussed by the parliamentary committee in the Sejm, envisions the construction of interchanges in Czarnowo, Ostromecko, Fordon, and possibly Jarużyn. This would also mean better access to express roads for the Fordon district.

“It’s cheaper to build Via Pomerania than to rebuild the country after a war.”

The concept of the eastern road bypass of Bydgoszcz can be said to have originated during the work of the Parliamentary Team for Via Pomerania, although the main decision-making body is the team established at the Ministry of National Defense. One of the coordinators of that team, Dariusz Kiedrowicz, who attended the 5th Bydgoszcz Amber Route Forum, stated:
“We will also do everything we can to ensure that the eastern bypass of Bydgoszcz is built.”

This shows that the team’s initial stance toward the project is favorable.

“We live in times that are not safe. That’s why we must do everything so that our neighbor is afraid to come to us,” emphasized Kiedrowicz. “If we don’t build this infrastructure now, we will be accountable to history later. No one in the Ministry of National Defense wants us to be remembered 200 years from now as those who failed to take advantage of this opportunity.”

There is also a concept for a southeastern bypass

For many years, the city’s planning documents have also included a southeastern bypass route — starting from the junction near the airport, running through Brdyujście, along the western side of Fordon, and reaching Osielsko. This route would thus also cover the municipalities of Białe Błota and Osielsko. Presenting this concept, Deputy Director of the Municipal Urban Planning Office (MPU) Jacek Kajczuk explained that its origins date back to the historic concept of an expressway between Bydgoszcz and Fordon, when they were still two separate cities. He pointed out, however, that there are still valid reasons to pursue this project — such as improving access to the Bydgoszcz Industrial Park, diverting transit trucks, creating an alternative connection between Wojska Polskiego Avenue and Fordon, and reducing traffic on Jana Pawła II Avenue.

City planners have consistently ensured that a corridor for this route is preserved, and the recently developed General Plan for Bydgoszcz also moves in that direction. However, for now, there are no funds available for implementing this investment.

During the 5th Bydgoszcz Amber Route Forum, the concepts of the eastern and southeastern bypasses were not presented as mutually exclusive.