Construction on the S19 expressway segment between Domaradz and Krosno in Poland’s Podkarpackie region has come to an abrupt stop after a PLN 1 billion contract with Mostostal Warszawa was terminated. Originally signed in November 2022 by the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA), the project was slated for completion by June 2026. However, by spring 2026, progress had stalled at just 5% completion, prompting the contractor to back out due to delays and additional complications.
Mostostal Warszawa withdrew from the agreement in April, attributing its decision to unmet contractual obligations by GDDKiA and unforeseen project challenges. The contractor highlighted unexpected ground conditions that escalated costs by approximately PLN 150 million, along with potential additional expenses of PLN 400 million due to modifications requested by the environmental authority. In response, GDDKiA dismissed these assertions, holding Mostostal responsible for the lack of progress. Consequently, the contract was officially terminated in May, leading the authority to secure the site and evaluate the work completed so far.
Following the termination, the inventory process has concluded, and GDDKiA plans to initiate a new tender to complete the Domaradz–Krosno section around late August or early September. The future contractor is expected to finish the job within a 26 to 28-month timeframe, adhering to the existing budget constraints. The delays, however, are not isolated to this section. Other parts of the Via Carpatia route in the region are also experiencing setbacks, adding pressure to the overall development of this significant transport corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity between southeastern Poland and the European road network.
The Babice–Jawornik stretch of the expressway has now been rescheduled for completion in October 2027, while the Rzeszów Południe–Babice section, which includes a tunnel of over 2.2 kilometers in length, is anticipated to be finished by January 2028. These postponements contribute to mounting concerns over the timely execution of Via Carpatia, a crucial infrastructure project designed to bolster transportation links within Europe.