Expressway S19 (Poland)

The Expressway S19 (Polish: Droga ekspresowa S19) is a planned and partially completed expressway in Poland, running roughly north-south through the eastern part of the country. It forms part of the international road route E85, connecting Klaipėda (Lithuania) with Alexandroupoli (Greece).

The S19 is a key component of the Via Carpatia initiative, an international transport corridor intended to connect the Baltic Sea with the Aegean and Black Seas, fostering economic development in Eastern Europe.

The route of the S19 begins (or will begin, as not all sections are completed) near the border with Belarus at the Kuźnica Białostocka border crossing. It then proceeds southwards, passing near or through major cities like Białystok, Lublin, Rzeszów, and ultimately reaching the border with Slovakia at Barwinek.

Construction of the S19 is being carried out in stages, with some sections already open to traffic, others under construction, and some still in the planning phase. The completed sections generally adhere to expressway standards, featuring dual carriageways, grade-separated intersections, and limited access.

The construction of the S19 faces various challenges, including environmental considerations, land acquisition, and financing. Different sections of the road are managed by different branches of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA).

The completion of the Expressway S19 is expected to significantly improve transport efficiency and connectivity in eastern Poland and facilitate international trade and travel along the Via Carpatia corridor.