Construction of the S15 expressway and reconstruction of the DK16 section to expressway standards are two projects that could improve transport accessibility in Warmia and Mazury in the coming years.

Call for the development of the S15 expressway

In Toruń, the marshals of the Warmian-Masurian, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Greater Poland, and Opole voivodeships signed a joint appeal to the Prime Minister regarding the construction of a new transport corridor connecting the northeastern and southern parts of the country. The appeal concerns the initiation of works on the new corridor to S15 expressway standards and its inclusion in key state strategic documents, including the Government Program for the Construction of National Roads.

As emphasized by the Marshal of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Marcin Kuchciński, the project would not only reduce travel time but also improve road safety and strengthen regional connectivity.

Development boost and strengthening economic ties

According to the presented assumptions, the S15 expressway would connect Olsztyn, Toruń, and Opole, passing through about 80 municipalities with a total population of nearly 1.5 million. Local government representatives argue that the investment will positively impact the development of medium-sized cities and county capitals along this transport axis. According to the signatories, the development of the S15 expressway could also strengthen economic ties between regions and facilitate the transport of goods and mobility for residents.

DK16 to expressway standards

In the near future, the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship will gain another expressway. The Warmian-Masurian Voivode issued a decision permitting the expansion of one of the two sections of the current DK16 – Olsztyn East to Biskupiec. The 18-kilometer section from Barczewo to Biskupiec will be upgraded to S-class standards. The investment will include modernization of, among others, road junctions in Kromerowo and Biskupiec, the road maintenance area near the Biskupiec junction, and two Passenger Service Areas near Nowe Marcinkowo.

In July 2025, the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) also submitted a building permit application for the over 11-kilometer section Olsztyn East – Barczewo. The decision is expected between the first and second quarters of this year.

After thorough reconstruction, the current DK16 section between the Olsztyn East and Biskupiec junctions will become a dual-carriageway expressway. Currently, it meets the standards of a single-carriageway main accelerated traffic road (GP class). The investments are scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2028.

Source: radioolsztyn.pl