System transportowy Śląska
The transport system of Silesia

Summary/Abstract: The historical province of Silesia incorporates three present-day Provinces (Voivodeships) of Lower Silesia, Opole and Silesia. These provinces are characterized by the most favorable indexes of density of roads and railways in the country, as well as those of motorization as regards the number of motor vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants. The article deals with the basic branches of transport, especially the network of roads, railways, the inland waterway along the Odra River and the airports. The changes in the transport network of the region was shown in a historical framework for the years 1945–2009, concentrating on the investments connected with transport, which were realized particularly after 1990. In the region, there is observed a disproportion in investments in individual branches of transport. The majority of investments are carried out toward the development of the network of motorways, express roads and ring roads. The opening of the market of air transport and the considerable share in it of low-cost airlines have resulted in the development of airports in the region (Katowice Pyrzowice and Wrocław Strachowice). To a small extent the modernization involved the railways network of Silesia, which – due to the drop in the size of passenger and freight transport – was affected by the process of liquidation of railways of secondary and local importance.

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