Construction of a key section of the S19 expressway begins. Over PLN 1.5 billion for the route to the border with Slovakia

The permit covers a section over 18 km long, which forms part of the international Via Carpatia route—a transport corridor connecting Northern and Southern Europe. In Poland, the route runs through five voivodeships: Podlaskie, Warmian-Masurian, Masovian, Lublin, and Subcarpathian, reaching a total length of approximately 700 km. In addition to the S19, the route also includes the S61 and S16 expressways. The Dukla–Barwinek section borders Slovakia directly and is among the most challenging sections of the entire S19 from a geological and environmental perspective. The investment includes the construction of the Barwinek interchange, 15 viaducts (the longest being 1,100 m long), seven bridges, four viaducts, and five wildlife crossings. The road will be equipped with modern safety and environmental protection systems, as well as vehicle inspection and weighing stations. Acoustic screens and insulating greenery strips are also planned, serving as protection and guidance for animals.

The ZRID decision clarifies the boundaries of the area designated for road construction and paves the way for the commencement of the compensation process for the acquired properties. This process will be conducted by the Podkarpackie Voivode, and the compensation amounts will be determined by independent property appraisers. Property owners will receive payments from the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) within 14 days of the compensation decision becoming final. Polaqua is responsible for the project's design-and-build implementation. The contractor has already prepared the technical documentation necessary to obtain the ZRID. After the construction site is handed over, preparatory work will begin, including surveying, environmental, and sapper inventories, as well as an assessment of the condition of public roads and buildings. Completion of all work is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

Cooperation with a partner on the Slovak side

Thanks to the cooperation between the Ministers of Infrastructure of Poland and Slovakia—Andrzej Adamczyk (formerly) and Andrej Doležal—funding was secured for the construction of cross-border sections of the Via Carpatia route. The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways signed an agreement with the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) to co-finance this investment from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The support covers design, construction, and land acquisition in both Poland and Slovakia. The funding amounts to 85% of the project value, which for the Dukla–Barwinek section translates to €326.2 million. On the Slovak side, the Via Carpatia route will be 136 km long and will include the R4 expressway, sections of the D1 motorway (Prešov–Košice Oľšany), and the R2 expressway (Košice bypass), construction of which began in March 2023. The issuance of the ZRID decision for the Dukla–Barwinek section marks a milestone in the construction of a key transport corridor between Poland and Slovakia. The investment is crucial for improving international connections and strengthening the economic development of southeastern Poland.