The development of Poland’s S19 expressway, specifically the segment between Domaradz and Krosno in the Podkarpackie region, faces significant setbacks following the termination of a PLN 1 billion contract. Signed in November 2022 with Mostostal Warszawa, the project was originally scheduled for completion by June 2026. However, progress stalled with only about 5% of the work finished by spring 2026. This delay threatens to impact the broader Via Carpatia route, a major transport corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity between southeastern Poland and the European road network.
The construction company, Mostostal Warszawa, withdrew from the contract in April, citing the road authority’s delays in meeting contractual obligations and unresolved project challenges. Particular issues included unexpected ground conditions that inflated costs by approximately PLN 150 million and environmental changes potentially adding another PLN 400 million to expenses. In response, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) refuted these claims, attributing the lack of progress to the contractor’s shortcomings.
In May, GDDKiA officially terminated the contract and began securing the construction site while taking inventory of the work completed thus far. With the inventory process now finished, GDDKiA plans to initiate a new tender for the completion of the Domaradz–Krosno section. The tender is expected to be launched around August or September, with the new contractor required to finish the work within 26 to 28 months, adhering to the current budget without any increases.
Additionally, delays are not isolated to the Domaradz–Krosno section. Other segments of the Via Carpatia in the Podkarpackie region are also experiencing setbacks. The Babice–Jawornik section’s completion has been postponed to October 2027. Similarly, the Rzeszów Południe–Babice section, which includes a significant tunnel spanning over 2.2 kilometers, is now anticipated to be finished by January 2028.
These delays are intensifying the pressure on the Via Carpatia project, crucial for bolstering Poland’s transportation infrastructure and integrating it with the broader European network. As GDDKiA moves forward to resolve these issues, the focus remains on minimizing further disruptions and ensuring the timely completion of this vital corridor.