The Maritime Office in Gdynia announced that the navigation channel on the Vistula Spit has already been filled with water. Its opening is scheduled for 17 September.
According to Magdalena Kierzkowska, spokeswoman of the Maritime Office in Gdynia, the sluice was filled last week and the water level has reached the objective. The filling was done through burnt holes in the cofferdam. All this was done to limit the masses of water flowing into the sluice at once. This allowed the entire process to be closely monitored.
She indicated that testing of the equipment was underway, first in semi-automatic mode and then in automatic mode.
The next stage will require the removal of the temporary steel cofferdam on the northern and southern sections. The process will end with testing of the entire crossing from the Master Control System located at the “Nowy Świat” Harbour Master’s Office, which includes control of the bridges, lock gates, signalling and variable message signs. Tests of the gates are also in progress – they are being alternately opened and closed – said a spokeswoman for the Maritime Office in Gdynia.
Tourists who will soon come on holiday to the Vistula Spit will be able to see almost the target view of the shipping channel.
“There is water in the whole shipping channel and of course in the lock itself. Besides, they will be able to see the whole outline of the structure – the breakwaters, the two swing bridges, one of which will be passable, passable by car or bicycle, the building of the “Nowy Świat” Harbour Master’s Office and the parking places on the side of the Vistula Lagoon. More and more target flora is also appearing. The best view will be from one of the specially prepared vantage points located on the western side of the channel,” Magdalena Kierzkowska emphasised.
The new waterway linking the Vistula Lagoon with the Gulf of Gdansk is intended to strengthen Poland’s sovereignty and make it independent of decisions made by the Russian side. Polish vessels had to obtain permission from Russia each time they sailed through the Pilawa Strait. After the construction of the canal, they will no longer have to do so. Thanks to the canal, the route of vessels sailing from the Bay of Gdansk to the Vistula Lagoon will also be shortened. The investment will strengthen the planned port in Elbląg and the ports on the Vistula Lagoon.