Doomsday?
With only 844 days left until Euro 2012 begins, PL.2012, the company responsible for the preparations of the big event is examining its so-called masterplan. This includes all the crucial investments that are to ensure that the European championships will be undertaken efficiently. In 2007, after Poland and Ukraine were chosen to host Euro 2012 a few thousand investments were envisioned. In 2009, approximately 400 were selected while now only 20 of those are seen as absolutely necessary. Every month PL.2012 checks on the progress that each host city has made and points out areas in which delays have occurred. The January 2010 audit clearly shows that all four cities, Warsaw, Wrocław, Poznań and Gdańsk, are struggling to meet their deadlines. The authorities of the cities in question disagree though and believe that work has already reached an advanced stage and that satisfactory progress has been achieved.
Gdańsk – the construction of the PGE Arena, despite some minor problems, is running on schedule. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about the airport as the construction of the new terminal is delayed and is set to start in March. The two main road investments, Słowacki and Sucharski streets, will not be finalised until 2013.
Poznań – more than half of the fourteen investments are delayed. On the other hand, Poznań will be the first city to boast a completed stadium. The official opening will take place in October when the Polish national team will play their first game there. Roads leading to the stadium and those connecting the stadium and Ławica airport ought to be finished by 2011. The airport is a problem area where there is plenty of catching up to do.
Warsaw – besides the National Stadium, the masterplan includes five road investments, two airport-related ones and three train station overhauls for the nation’s capital, a total of seventeen of those are delayed, and two will definitely not be completed in time for Euro 2012.
Wrocław – there are major problems related to the construction of the stadium since the agreement with the original contractor has been terminated as a result of critical delays. A new agreement was signed two weeks ago but work is yet to begin.
Gazeta Wyborcza
