12 bidders vie for 9 km on S17 expressway

1 March 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Twelve firms and consortia have submitted bids to design and build a 9+ km stretch of the S17 expressway between Łopiennik and Krasnystaw — a move that could speed travel, boost local economy and change commuting patterns in the Lublin region.

The S17 expressway will be the subject of a competitive tender after the regional office of the GDDKiA in Lublin opened offers from 12 companies and consortia to design and build a 9-plus kilometre section between Łopiennik and Krasnystaw. The procurement — for a design-and-build contract — is a significant step toward improving connectivity in eastern Poland and could alter travel times and freight flows across the region.

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What was announced and who is involved

On the day the offers were opened, officials confirmed that a dozen bidders responded to the call to deliver more than 9 km of the S17 route. The contract covers both design and construction, meaning the winning bidder will be responsible for project planning, obtaining necessary permits and delivering the finished carriageway. GDDKiA (the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways) runs Poland’s national road network and is responsible for contracting and supervising major road projects.

Why this stretch matters

The section between Łopiennik and Krasnystaw sits in the Lublin Voivodeship, a part of Poland where improved road links can significantly reduce travel times between Lublin and points southeast toward Rzeszów and border crossings. For drivers, the new expressway will likely mean safer, faster journeys and reduced traffic through small towns that today bear through-traffic. For businesses — especially logistics and agriculture in the area — a full S17 standard road increases reliability for freight and can attract investment.

Process and timeline — what to expect next

After opening bids, GDDKiA will evaluate offers for technical compliance, price and proposed schedules. That evaluation can take weeks to months; contract award may be delayed further by formal protests, clarifications or required environmental and land acquisition steps. With a design-and-build approach, once the contractor is appointed there is a combined planning and construction phase. Real-world experience with similar projects suggests several years from contract award to completed motorway-standard road, though exact timelines depend on permits and site-specific issues.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: The GDDKiA (General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways) is the central government agency that plans and contracts national roads in Poland. A “design-and-build” tender gives a single contractor responsibility for both designing and constructing the road, which can speed delivery but also means the contractor must secure permits and manage land acquisition. The S17 is a major express route running from Warsaw through Lublin toward the south-east; upgrades here improve safety, shorten journeys and help regional economies. If you live or work near Łopiennik or Krasnystaw, expect construction noise, temporary detours and changes to local traffic during works — but longer-term benefits often include better access to services and markets.

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