SWIETOKRZYSKIE BRIDGE (FL 2011-0211)

Part financing of the bridge construction over the Wisla (Vistula) river in Polaniec. The project will be allocated under the framework loan for the Region of Swietokrzyskie. The project is co-financed by the Region of Podkarpackie and supported by EC.

Implementation of the project will enhance transport accessibility of the Swietokrzyskie and Podkarpackie provinces, improving the internal coherence of the region, increasing its economic attractiveness and revitalizing entrepreneurship. The project is located in a Convergence region and is therefore eligible under Article 309(a) "projects for developing less-developed regions" of the EC treaty. The project is expected to benefit from Cohesion Fund finance. The consistency of the project with the Bank policy for lending to the transport sector (Decision CA/452/11) depends on its economic profitability and will be confirmed during appraisal.

The project falls under Annex II of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 2011/92/EU. However the project has been screened in and has been the subject of a full EIA procedure. In addition in 2001 a Strategic Environmental Analysis (SEA) was reportedly carried out. A positive Environmental Decision was issued in November 2011. The project crosses the Vistula River with no piers impeding flow. The impact, on any Natura 2000 areas, and on the environment is to be further appraised.

The Bank will require the Promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable EU procurement legislation (Dir 2004/17/EC/ or 2004/18/EC and Dir. 2007/66/EC), with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where appropriate. A tender for the award of construction contract for the bridge was issued on 19 June 2012 in the OJEU (2012/S 115-190048). To be further appraised.