The construction of a crucial section of Poland’s S19 expressway, part of the Via Carpatia route, has been abruptly halted following the termination of a PLN 1 billion contract. This section, stretching between Domaradz and Krosno in the Podkarpackie region, faced significant setbacks when the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) ended its agreement with Mostostal Warszawa. Originally signed in November 2022 with a completion goal set for June 2026, progress had been minimal, with only 5% of the work finished by spring 2026.
Mostostal Warszawa withdrew from the contract in April, citing delays on the part of GDDKiA in meeting contractual obligations and unresolved issues impacting the project. The contractor highlighted unexpected ground conditions which increased costs by approximately PLN 150 million, alongside environmental authority-mandated changes potentially adding another PLN 400 million to the budget. However, GDDKiA refuted these claims, placing the blame on Mostostal for lack of progress, which led to the formal contract termination in May.
Following the contract termination, GDDKiA has completed an inventory of the site and is preparing to issue a new tender to complete the halted section around late August or early September. The new contractor, once appointed, is expected to finish the remaining work within a timeline of 26 to 28 months, adhering to the original budget constraints.
The Domaradz–Krosno section is not the only part of the Via Carpatia facing delays. Other segments in the Podkarpackie region, such as the Babice–Jawornik section, are now scheduled for completion in October 2027. Meanwhile, the Rzeszów Południe–Babice section, which includes a tunnel over 2.2 kilometers long, is anticipated to be finished by January 2028. These delays pose challenges to the development of the Via Carpatia, a strategic transport corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity from southeastern Poland to the broader European road network.