Polish government introduces new laws guaranteeing record compensation to homeowners affected by tunnel construction, with 500 million zlotys allocated for payouts.
Katastrophe in Łódź Triggers Legal Changes
A September 2024 construction disaster at Al. 1 Maja in Łódź, where a tenement house collapsed during tunnel excavation, prompted the government to change the law. The halted tunnel project, meant to be a regional transportation backbone, left hundreds of residents displaced and uncertain about compensation for their damaged properties.
Compensation System Overhauled
The new regulations abandon previous valuation methods that reduced compensation based on building depreciation. Under the new system, homeowners in damaged historic buildings can receive compensation equal to the market value of modern apartments, potentially reaching 12,000 zlotys per square meter in major cities.
500 Million Zlotys Allocated
The government has secured 500 million zlotys in the budget specifically for buyouts and compensation in the Łódź area, with provisions for additional funding in subsequent years if needed. This guarantee aims to reassure residents about the state’s ability to make payments.
Tunnel Law Ends Legal Confusion
The new legislation, called by specialists a cleanup of years of legal confusion surrounding major underground projects, establishes clear procedures for temporary resident resettlement and building acquisitions affected by tunnel boring machines. All parties involved will now have defined paths of action.
