Second WWII Shell Found Under Tram Tracks on “Solidarności” Avenue in One Week
For the second time this week, construction workers modernizing tram tracks on “Solidarności” Avenue uncovered a World War II shell, prompting police to shut down the street until...
For the second time this week, construction workers modernizing tram tracks on “Solidarności” Avenue uncovered a World War II shell, prompting police to shut down the street until military sappers removed the unexploded ordnance.
Table Of Content
Second WWII Shell Discovered During Track Modernization
For the second time this week, workers renovating the tram track on “Solidarności” Avenue encountered a World War II shell. Services closed the street between Jana Pawła II Avenue and Bankowy Square, halting vehicle and pedestrian traffic. After the unexploded ordnance was removed by sappers, traffic was resumed around 5:00 PM.
The latest dangerous discovery occurred on Thursday, August 6, around 3:00 PM. Workers conducting modernization of the tram track found a World War II shell in the ground at “Solidarności” Avenue 93.
Work was immediately stopped, and the police were called to the scene. Officers secured the area and closed “Solidarności” Avenue between Jana Pawła II Avenue and Bankowy Square, blocking both car traffic and pedestrian walkways along the renovated section.
Police guarded the designated zone until the arrival of the military bomb disposal patrol. Sappers arrived around 4:30 PM, identified the find, secured it, and prepared it for transport.
The operation concluded before 5:00 PM. After the dangerous item was removed, services lifted the blockade, and traffic resumed. During the operation, bus lines 190 and Z26 ran on detour routes, bypassing the closed section of “Solidarności” Avenue.
Second Shell Found During the Same Renovation
This is the second such find discovered this week during track modernization. On Tuesday, August 4, workers encountered an artillery shell in the area of buildings numbered 95–99, requiring a complete closure of the street and sidewalks and the intervention of sappers.
The first shell was found around 8:00 AM. Sappers arrived around 1:30 PM, secured, and removed the unexploded ordnance. Following an additional check of the tracks using a metal detector, traffic was resumed around 3:00 PM.
Why Shells Were Not Found During Previous Track Construction
After the first discovery, some readers asked why the shells were not found during the construction of the previous tracks. However, current work is being conducted deeper than previous efforts.
The new track structure is set approximately 20 to 30 centimeters deeper than the old one, meaning workers are removing successive layers of soil that were untouched during earlier work—layers where items invisible and inaccessible during past construction may lie.
Earthworks on the renovated section will continue. If further items resembling ammunition or unexploded ordnance are found, workers must halt activities, move away from the find, and notify the appropriate services.
According to WTP: “Due to the blocked passage in the area of Solidarności Ave. 93, lines 190 and Z26 have been routed on detours: l. 190, Z26 > CH Marki/Bielańska:..Solidarności Ave. – Jana Pawła II Ave. – ONZ Roundabout – Świętokrzyska – Marszałkowska – Bankowy Sq. – Solidarności Ave.… l. 190, Z26 > Znana/Zajezdnia Wola:..Bankowy Sq. – Marszałkowska – Królewska – Grzybowska – Jana Pawła II Ave. – Solidarności Ave.…”