Until now close to three thousands bombs, shells, grenades and ammunition of all types have been removed from the construction site and new object are still being found. As the probability of finding dangerous items on several sections of the motorway’s route is high the execution of works without having to inspect the terrain by sappers would create extreme risk.

Sappers have been present on the A1 construction site constantly since the commencement of the construction works. The scope of their works involved almost all sections of 90 km long road. From autumn 2005 the sappers have checked and cleared about 187 hectares of the area. All in all, 2875 unexploded and dangerous items have been found, including 2089 unexploded ammunition. Among all those, 327 items are considered to be highly hazardous with big striking strength and distance. Those are: air bombs, artillery shells and mortal bombs, mines, as well as grenades and panzerfausts.

The greatest abundance of “explosive” finds has been encountered on Section 6. The farthest kilometers of the constructed part of the motorway is the area where took place one of the most furious struggles over defense of Grudziadz and positions on Vistula river which were coerced by Russian army. In the vicinity of Warlubie and Nowe Marzy 707 unexploded ammunition, 121 ailerons of mortal grenades and 573 elements of artillery shells have been found. Those finds constitute 50% of all excavated objects on the A1. Search for unexploded items on Section 1 involved almost entire 18 km long section from Rusocin to Stanisławie. This area made Gdańsk defense line in March 1945. There were 296 dangerous object found within this section of the motorway. On section 4 only some stands near Starogard Gdański, Pelplin and Borkowo were inspected by sappers. On those locations they removed and dismantled 1024 unexploded ammunition as well as 72 ailerons of mortal grenades.

On all remaining sections the number of finds is considered to be insignificant and falls within the national mean estimated for areas on which the warfare was carried out.

The majority of records concerning the possible locations of dangerous objects comes from workers employed on the project, especially operators of excavators who tend to find oddments or sets of old ammunition during removing surface layer of humus. Residents of the nearby villages constitute an important source of information as well. For example, numerous locations with unexploded ammunition have been identified by residents of Mniszek, a village on Section 6. They still remember the course of severe battles that were continuing over 14 days on that area and during which Russian army used huge amount of artillery, mortals and so called katyushas.

Each time when the “explosive” find is excavated, areas of possible risk are determined. Once the terrain reconnaissance is finished sappers investigate the area using metal detectors up to 1, 5 meter in inwards. Such a procedure is applicable in all locations where earthworks are implemented and where tree trunks and root wood are removed. In areas of planned deep excavations and where piles for bridge structures and sheet pile wall are erected, the area is investigated with a proton magnetometer up to 6 meters inward. After clearing the motorway, on location when it is necessary, sappers supervise the earthworks and assist workers on bridge structures.
On very special and rare occasions, all unexploded ammunition is detonated at the place of their finding; however, the majority of ammunition is removed and then detonated on the nearer military firing ground. Detonation of all materials found is usually carried out in Lębork (Pomorskie Province) as well as in Braniewo and Toruń (Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province). The responsibility for transport of dangerous items from the construction site lies with sappers form military units in Tczew and Chełm.