Between Żarnowa and Godowa in the Podkarpacie region, on the section of the S19 Babica–Jawornik expressway, Poland’s tallest flyover is under construction. The structure, over a kilometre long with pillars approximately 80 metres high, will form part of the international Via Carpatia route. The supports are already in place, and the contractor is currently constructing the spans. However, motorists will have to be patient, as according to the latest announcements, they will not be able to drive along this section until the fourth quarter of 2027 at the earliest.
Poland’s tallest flyover, higher than cathedral spires
The hilly landscape of the Dynów Foothills has necessitated routing a significant section of the new road high above the ground. Around 30 per cent of the Babica–Jawornik section consists of flyovers, with the structure marked ES-26 attracting the most attention. The eight-span structure is set to be 1,082 metres long and approximately 29 metres wide. Its tallest pillars, standing at around 80 metres, are roughly 5 metres higher than the spires of St Florian’s Cathedral in Warsaw. The foundations are also impressive in scale, as piles with a diameter of 1.5 metres and a length of up to around 42 metres have been used here.
ES-26 drawing closer to completion
In March 2026, construction of all the ES-26 supports was completed, after which work moved on to the structure supporting the future carriageways. According to a statement from the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) on 27 August, progress on the entire 11.6-kilometre Babica–Jawornik section stood at 84 per cent. Intercor is carrying out the project, worth approximately 1.25 billion zlotys gross, which includes eight flyovers, five viaducts, wildlife crossings, the Żarnowa–Strzyżów junction and a rest area for travellers. Difficult geological conditions and unfavourable weather have prolonged the construction work. Instead of the previously announced date of September 2026, the current forecast for the road’s completion is the fourth quarter of 2027.
Via Carpatia – from the Baltic to the Adriatic
The initiative to build the Via Carpatia was launched in 2006. Its name can be translated as ‘the Carpathian Road’. The Latin word ‘via’ means ‘road’, whilst ‘Carpatia’ refers to the Carpathian Mountains, through which a significant part of the route runs. The international route is set to run from Klaipėda in Lithuania all the way to Thessaloniki in Greece, passing through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. Its branches are also intended to provide access to ports on the Black Sea and the Adriatic. The Polish section has been mapped out from the border at Budzisko through the areas around Suwałki, Ełk and Białystok, then via Lublin and Rzeszów to Barwinek on the border with Slovakia. The route includes sections of the S61, S16 and S19 roads. For eastern Poland, this represents an opportunity for more efficient freight transport, easier access to foreign markets and greater interest from investors. The new sections are also intended to shorten journey times and relieve the pressure on the towns and villages through which transit traffic currently passes.
Which sections of the Via Carpatia are complete, and when will the project be finished?
Motorists are already using, amongst others, the S61 between Ełk and the Lithuanian border, and the S19 between Lublin and Rzeszów. In 2025, over 20 kilometres between Krosno, Miejsce Piastowe and Dukla were also opened, as well as approximately 21 kilometres from Haciek via Bielsk Podlaski Zachód to Bociek. However, there is still no continuous expressway route across the whole of eastern Poland. The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) has set 2031 as the completion date for the S19, including the challenging Jawornik–Lutcza tunnel section. This is not, however, the completion date for the entire Via Carpatia. Its Polish section also requires the completion of other sections, including the S16, whilst the foreign sections are being built according to separate timetables. As things stand, there is therefore no single confirmed opening date for the entire international route.
Source: General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways
See also:Architecture in Poland | Interesting facts | Urban planning|Public transport
