Görlitz and Zgorzelec's Bridge Park Expansion: Phase Two Kicks Off!
Expanded Bridge Park Connects Görlitz and Zgorzelec Cities - Expanding Bridge Infrastructure in Görlitz and Zgorzelec
It's a new era for the Bridge Park project linking Görlitz, Germany, and its Polish neighbor, Zgorzelec! The Interreg program has allocated a generous 3.6 million euros to reinvent and restore more verdant spaces along the Neisse River in both cities. Exciting developments are in the works as the city administration of Görlitz plans to sign the partnership agreement on June 10th - the day of their anniversary joint city council meeting!
In the initial phase, the German side of the Bridge Park boasted improved city park sections and the revamping of the shoreline near the Görlitz City Hall. This cross-border green connection unites historical park areas, new publicly-accessible open spaces, and picturesque riverfront vistas. The project will now continue in a southerly direction, running from Obermühle to Weinberg.
Unlocking the Annual City Council Gathering
The cooperative spirit between Görlitz and Zgorzelec has flourished since 1991, with their joint city council meetings taking place annually. This year's meeting, happening on the Polish side in the cultural house of Zgorzelec, will feature a report on the initiative to supply both cities with eco-friendly district heating by 2030. A significant challenge in that endeavor is establishing the technical infrastructure required for cross-border connectivity.
Görlitz - Municipality - Neisse River
The current phase of Bridge Park focuses on widening the park area, building new public spaces, and implementing green infrastructure and amenities for both residents and tourists. This joint cross-border effort aims to fortify social, economic, and cultural bonds between Görlitz and Zgorzelec.
On the technical front, one substantial project involves laying a 2.5 km pipeline beneath the Neisse River to support infrastructure for cross-border utilities. Separate plans are also underway to electrify a rail section from the Polish border into Görlitz Hauptbahnhof, signaling additional improvements in cross-border transport infrastructure. However, border checks implemented since 2023 have introduced transit delays at the Zgorzelec-Görlitz crossing, somewhat impacting regional logistics and cooperation.
The ongoing Bridge Park expansion highlights a continued dedication to cross-border cooperation amid geopolitical and logistical challenges plaguing the region.
| Aspect | Details ||--------------------|------------------------------------------|| Second Phase Start | June 2025 || Main Focus | Park expansion, public spaces, green infrastructure || Key Infrastructure | 2.5 km pipeline under Neisse River || Cross-Border Collaboration | Görlitz (DE) and Zgorzelec (PL) || Transportation Upgrade | Rail electrification (Zgorzelec to Görlitz Hbf) || Impact on Logistics | Border checks causing transit delays |
Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting endeavor continues to unfold! 🎉🚀
The Commission has also been informed of the results of the consultation regarding the expansion of Bridge Park in Görlitz and Zgorzelec, which includes the development of lifestyle-friendly home-and-garden spaces within the park's expansion. The second phase, starting in June 2025, focuses on park expansion, creating new public spaces, and implementing green infrastructure, aiming to strengthen social, economic, and cultural bonds between the two cities.
