GDDKiA: Kraków and Warsaw connected by S7 expressway

Kraków and Warsaw are now linked by the S7 expressway, with the Kraków metropolitan area also benefiting from the completion of the S52 route, which improves accessibility in the city’s northern areas. The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) announced the opening of 25 kilometers of expressways, enhancing the transportation network in the region.

The newly inaugurated 13.3 km section of the S7, connecting the Widoma junction to the North Bypass of Kraków, establishes a direct expressway route between Poland’s two largest cities. The full 270 km stretch of the S7 now links Warsaw and Kraków with a modern highway. In the Małopolska region, the S7 follows a new route, diverging from the path historically designated in the early 19th century.

While the section is open to traffic, construction work is not yet fully complete. Remaining tasks include finishing junctions and fencing. For safety, the speed limit on the section is temporarily set at 80 km/h, though both carriageways are available with two lanes each. Completion of the remaining work is expected by late spring 2025.

Angela Martinez-Sarasola, head of the Polish Department for the European Regional and Urban Commission, emphasized the importance of these projects in enhancing Poland’s infrastructure and strengthening interregional connections. “The investments in S7 Widoma-Kraków and the S52 North Bypass of Kraków exemplify the role of road infrastructure in economic and social development. These projects, part of the TEN-T network, significantly improve accessibility and connectivity within Małopolska and beyond,” she said.

The European Union supported the development of the S7 expressway with a PLN 534.8 million grant from the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment and PLN 420.7 million from the Operational Programme European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, and Environment. The project, costing nearly PLN 1.7 billion, was delivered by a consortium led by Gulermak.

Additionally, the 12.3 km Kraków Bypass (POK) brings Kraków closer to becoming the second Polish city, after Łódź, fully encircled by expressways. The city now has 64.5 km of bypass routes, with a final 5 km section between the Mistrzejowice and Nowa Huta junctions scheduled for completion by mid-2026.

The S52 route, financed with PLN 789.6 million from the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment, represents a total investment of approximately PLN 1.4 billion. This section was also constructed by the Gulermak consortium.

These infrastructure advancements enhance mobility, safety, and travel comfort while supporting sustainable development and EU integration. The newly opened expressways are expected to bolster the region’s competitiveness and foster greater cohesion within Poland.

Source: GDDKiA and ISBnews