 The city is , and has been for centuries , the main hub of transportation for the Podlaskie Voivodeship and the entire northeastern section of Poland . It is a major city on the European Union roadways ( Via Baltica ) and railways ( Rail Baltica ) to the Baltic Republics and Finland . It is also a main gateway of trade with Belarus due to its proximity to the border and its current and longstanding relationship with Hrodno , Belarus . 
