Starowiślna Street Overhaul Begins This Thursday With Initial Road and Sidewalk Narrowing

Starting Thursday, August 27, 2026, renovation work on Starowiślna Street in Kraków will commence with underground network replacements and sidewalk upgrades, causing initial traffic restrictions.

Start of Renovation Works

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, renovation work on Starowiślna Street will begin. As previously reported, acting city mayor Stanisław Kracik abandoned the plan to convert this thoroughfare into a one-way street. Although it was originally assumed the renovation would take place next year, reports recently emerged that the first works would be carried out this year, and that scenario is now taking effect.

First Stage and Traffic Restrictions

The first stage will cover the sidewalk on the odd-numbered side between Dietla and Miodowa streets, after which work will gradually move to subsequent sections. Residents and drivers must expect local narrowing of the roadway and sidewalks, with pedestrians temporarily directed to the sidewalk on the opposite side. A stopping ban will also be in effect on the section under construction, with the first stage scheduled for completion on November 30.

Scope of the Ultimate Overhaul

Ultimately, the renovation will also cover the structure of the roadway, sidewalks, and tram tracks, with track work starting in early 2027. The investment covers the section of Starowiślna Street from Dietla Street, through the intersections with Miodowa, Dajwór, Przemyska, and Joselewicza streets, all the way to the Silesian Insurgents Bridge, which will bring significantly greater disruptions for drivers and tram detours.

Controversy and Two-Way Traffic Decision

The reconstruction of Starowiślna Street has sparked controversy and discussion, featuring advocates for reducing traffic and introducing a single direction for cars, a concept pushed in recent years. However, following the referendum in which Mayor Aleksander Miszalski was recalled, acting mayor Stanisław Kracik abandoned the reconstruction in favor of a renovation that preserves two-way traffic.