Progress in the Construction of the S19 Expressway: Krynice – Dobrzyniewo – Białystok West

The S19 expressway on the Krynice – Dobrzyniewo – Białystok West section is an ambitious project undertaken by a consortium comprising PORR SA and Infrastructure Branch of Unibep SA, as part of the international transport corridor Via Carpatia. This strategic section will connect the north and south of Europe, supporting economic development and regional integration. Construction began in March 2024 and the completion is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

The scale of the investment and key construction elements

The works on the S19 road encompasses a more than 10-kilometre section of a modern dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction and each lane 3.5 metres wide, an additional 2.5-metre-wide emergency lane, and a wide median strip separating the carriageways. The Białystok West junction, connecting the S19 expressway with the already existing S8 expressway, will be an integral part of the investment, creating a key communication link in the region. It will be the largest road junction in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The scope of the construction includes not only the road surface but also the construction of 13 bridge structures and 11 ecological culverts, which will allow for the safe movement of animals.

Dynamic progress of work

The construction of the S19 is progressing according to schedule and is proceeding very efficiently. So far, excavations totalling over 620,000 m³ have been completed out of the planned 973,000 m³, which is equivalent to 52,000 full trucks. If these vehicles were lined up one after the other, they would form a line that would be 832 km long.

“We are carrying out the work on the S19 section according to schedule, and the pace and quality are made possible by our well-coordinated team and collaboration with PORR. This is already our third joint expressway investment, which allows us to coordinate tasks excellently, as evidenced by the results so far: we have completed over 620,000 m³ of excavations, 400,000 m³ of embankments, 300,000 m³ of soil replacement, and have laid 32,000 tons of bituminous material,” said Construction Manager, Tomasz Klekotko.

Modern geotechnical technologies

Challenging soil conditions along the route of S19 expressway presented a challenge, which was addressed through advanced geotechnical technologies. Some of the engineering structures were founded on CFA piles and precast driven concrete piles, ensuring stability even on challenging ground. In areas with deep deposits of non-bearing soils prone to settlement, vertical drainage technology was implemented to accelerate consolidation, along with surcharge embankments. This technology strengthens the soils containing organic matter in the subsoil, while also providing an alternative to traditional soil replacement methods.

The S19 expressway — a new standard in transportation and regional integration

The construction of the S19 Krynice – Białystok West section is an investment of great significance for the region’s road network. It is part of the Via Carpatia corridor, which spans 580 km in Poland and will ultimately connect the Baltic States with Southern Europe.