The tunnel under the Świna River means not only an increase in travel comfort and safety for the City of Świnoujscie, but also an important boost for the economic development of the region and Poland. It is an important symbol of the integrity and sovereignty of our country

- said the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Grzegorz Puda.

Świnoujście is the only city in Poland that is located entirely on islands. The transport between the two largest islands, Usedom and Wolin, was only provided by ferry crossings that connected Świnoujście with the rest of Poland. 

The opening of the tunnel means a huge facilitation of connection and transport between the islands. Instead of long queues waiting to cross the ferry, the tunnel crossing between the islands of Usedom and Wolin will take around two minutes. The tunnel under the Świna River is more than 1483 m long and is the longest underwater crossing in Poland. Almost PLN 776 million from the Polish part of the European funds was allocated for its construction.

The tunnel, in addition to the construction of the LNG Terminal, is another strategic investment subsidised from the Polish part of the EU funds located in Świnoujście

- said Minister Grzegorz Puda. The head of the MDFRP indicated that our country is able to attract and efficiently use EU funds.

We are one of the leaders in raising EU funds and a country that uses these funds very effectively

- said the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

Minister Grzegorz Puda said that the government's intention is that support should be provided to investments that contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

We do our best to ensure that Poland develops in a balanced way, so that clear division between richer, developed regions and poorer ones disappear

- stressed the head of the MDFRP.

The Świna River Tunnel - the longest underwater crossing in Poland

Świnoujscie is the only city in Poland that is located on as many as 44 islands. The two largest inhabited ones are Usedom and Wolin. Until now, the only connection between them and, via the island of Wolin, also the connection between Usedom and the rest of Poland, were two ferry crossings.

The use of the ferries was inconvenient not only for residents, but also for businesses and tourists, which was particularly noticeable during the summer season. In the event of adverse weather conditions, there were situations when Świnoujście was cut off from the rest of the country, which in turn posed threat to its safety.

A permanent connection under the Świna River will solve these problems. Owing to the construction of the tunnel and access roads, city residents as well as tourists will get to the other side more quickly, without depending on ferry services.

The tunnel under the Świna River is 1.44 km long. The contract for the investment was signed in 2017. The funding from the Polish part of the EU funds amounted to PLN 775,677,722.67. The Municipality of the City of Świnoujście is the investor of the construction of the tunnel, and the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, Szczecin Branch, is the project manager on its behalf.