S19 expressway construction reaches major milestones in Poland

Significant progress has been reported on the S19 expressway construction in the Podkarpacie region, a key part of the Via Carpatia route. On the Babica–Jawornik section, engineers have completed the concreting of the load-bearing structure for the first lane of the ES-26 viaduct. This structure is set to become the highest viaduct in Poland, featuring pillars reaching 80 meters in height and a total length of 1,082 meters.

The ES-26 project utilizes cantilever construction methods to navigate the difficult, hilly terrain without traditional scaffolding. The scale of the project is immense, requiring approximately 51,800 cubic meters of concrete and 9,250 tons of steel for the supports alone. The section includes eight viaducts and five overpasses to manage the complex landscape.

Simultaneously, work continues on the Rzeszów Południe–Babica section. The TBM machine ‘Karpatka’ has excavated nearly 1,200 meters of the second tunnel bore under the Grochowiczna hill, representing about 55 percent of its length. Construction in this area has faced challenges including methane presence and difficult geological conditions. The Babica–Jawornik section is expected to be completed in 2027, while the Rzeszów Południe–Babica segment is slated for 2028.