New canal will connect Gulf of Gdańsk with Wisła Lagoon
20:01
On Tuesday, Poland’s Cabinet adopted a draft resolution to finance the construction of a waterway that will link the Wisła River’s Lagoon, southeast of Gdańsk, with the Baltic Sea, a government release stated. The government wrote that the project will cost approximately PLN 880 million and is slated to be completed in 2022. Completion of the project would enhance trade flows through the port of Elbląg, which sits directly on the lagoon and acts as a conduit for products between the Russian Kaliningrad Enclave and the Baltic. The release also stated: “The project will enable the opening of the port of Elbąg for large seagoing vessels, thus creating a fifth major Polish port on the Baltic Sea [while] rapidly developing the region’s economy.”
However, some area residents, as well as environmentalists, are opposed to the canal’s construction. They fear that it would upset the natural habitat of many unique species in the area. The lagoon, which exists in both Polish and Russian territory, is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, opportunities for sailing and cultural treasures. Its healthy coast microclimate supports about 40 different types of fish and is a refuge for some of Poland’s most majestic bird species, including the Black Cormorant and the Blue Heron.
