S17 roadworks move to Lublin-bound carriageway

7 August 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

S17 roadworks on the Garwolin bypass will shift to the Lublin-bound lane, causing lane closures and delays for drivers.

S17 roadworks shift this Saturday to the carriageway heading toward Lublin, affecting a 12-kilometre section of the Garwolin bypass. Consequently, drivers should expect lane closures, reduced speeds, and long delays as works proceed in stages.

Table of Contents

S17 roadworks: what changes this weekend

The maintenance covers a 12-kilometre stretch of the S17 bypass around Garwolin. Moreover, the contractor works in stages on 3-4 kilometre fragments. First, crews mill the old surface. Then they lay a new wearing course. Finally, they restore the road markings. First, workers close the hard shoulder and the right lane. After that, they move the work to the left lane.

Why this matters for drivers and local communities

The Garwolin bypass carries up to 40,000 vehicles daily. Therefore, any lane loss immediately slows traffic. Consequently, past closures created jams that stretched several kilometres. In addition, commuters often lost tens of minutes. However, drivers sometimes lost over an hour on this short stretch. Moreover, many motorists bypass the expressway via local roads. As a result, Garwolin and nearby villages experienced higher traffic. Therefore, local streets and junctions clogged too. Finally, weekend travel remains especially affected.

How the works are organised and who runs them

The Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad (GDDKiA) manages the project. In addition, the authority coordinates traffic measures and communications. The contractor, Przedsiębiorstwo Robót Inżynieryjno-Drogowych from Grójec, executes the work. Moreover, GDDKiA plans night-time work on the Garwolin Zachód and Garwolin Południe ramps. Consequently, this step aims to reduce daytime disruption. In addition, crews use standard maintenance methods to ensure long-term safety.

Timeline and practical impact

The bypass opened in 2007 and has served drivers for nearly 19 years. Therefore, the overhaul of the wearing course represents routine upkeep. Moreover, the replacement seeks to keep the road safe for years. The authority plans to finish all works by late November 2026. However, drivers must expect periodic lane restrictions until then. Consequently, speed limits and temporary narrowings will remain common. In addition, weekend travel will likely feel the heaviest delays.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: For expats, remember that Polish traffic enforcement issues a “mandat” (fine) for violations. Therefore, keep a valid driving licence and third-party liability insurance (OC). In addition, emergency services use 112 across the EU. Moreover, note Polish institutions: GDDKiA oversees national roads, NFZ (National Health Fund) covers healthcare, and ZUS handles pensions and social insurance. Finally, carry an ID; PESEL (national ID number) helps in official matters, but foreigners can travel and drive without it.

Practical tips: use real-time navigation apps like Google Maps or Yanosik. Moreover, avoid peak hours where possible. Also, plan detours carefully to avoid congesting small towns. In addition, check fuel stations and rest stops before you detour. Finally, expect contractors to work nights on ramps to reduce daytime queues.

Source: Read original article

📚 Looking for more help settling in Poland? Browse our complete Expat Guides.