The construction of a section of the S19 expressway in Poland, stretching from Domaradz to Krosno in the Podkarpackie region, has been halted following the termination of a PLN 1 billion contract. This development further delays the completion of the Via Carpatia route, a significant transport corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity between southeastern Poland and the broader European road network. Originally, the contract with Mostostal Warszawa was signed by the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) in November 2022, with the project slated for completion by June 2026. However, progress had stalled, with only about 5 percent of the work completed by spring 2026.
Mostostal Warszawa withdrew from the contract in April, citing failures by the road authority to meet its contractual obligations and unresolved project issues, including unexpected ground conditions that increased costs by approximately PLN 150 million. Additionally, modifications required by the environmental authority were anticipated to add another PLN 400 million to the expenses. GDDKiA, however, rejected these claims, attributing the project delay to Mostostal’s lack of progress. The contract was officially terminated in May, prompting the authority to secure the construction site and evaluate the work completed so far.
With the inventory now complete, GDDKiA plans to launch a new tender to finish the Domaradz–Krosno section around late August or early September. The new contractor is expected to complete the remaining work within 26 to 28 months of the contract signing, adhering to the original budget constraints.
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, while the Rzeszów Południe–Babice section, which includes a tunnel over 2.2 kilometers long, now has an expected completion date of January 2028.
These delays pose significant challenges to the development timeline of Via Carpatia, emphasizing the need for efficient management and resolution of construction hurdles to meet the strategic objectives of enhancing regional connectivity through this pivotal transport corridor.