They are building the A18. The first section is nearing completion—what about the others?

As part of the National Road Construction Programme for 2014–2023, the second stage of the A18 motorway construction is under way—the reconstruction of the southern carriageway on the Olszyna–Golnice section (Lower Silesian Voivodeship). The entire section is more than 70 km long. The first 22 km (between Żary and Iłowa) are nearing completion. This section is to be ready in September this year.

What about the remaining sections?

State border at Olszyna–Żary

The section begins at the state border and ends approximately 2 km beyond the Żary Zachód interchange in the direction of Wrocław. It is the only section being delivered under a Design and Build contract. On 24 April 2020, an agreement was signed for the design and reconstruction. The works are scheduled for completion in the second half of 2023. The section is 11.6 km long. The value of the works contract is PLN 185.9 million. The works are currently 55% complete. As part of the project, the road interchanges at Olszyna—at the border with Germany—and Żary Zachód—at the intersection with national road No. 12—will also be reconstructed.

Żary–Iłowa

The second section begins two kilometres beyond the Żary Zachód interchange in the direction of Wrocław and ends approximately four kilometres before the Iłowa interchange. Road workers: – On 14 November 2019, we signed an agreement to carry out the project. The section is 21.9 km long. The value of the works contract is PLN 254.1 million. It is being delivered under the traditional Build system. This is the most advanced section of the road being reconstructed. Construction works are nearly 99% complete. It will be opened for use first, as early as September this year. The works also include reconstruction of the Żary Południe interchange at the intersection with national road No. 27.

Iłowa–voivodeship border

The third contract begins nearly four kilometres before the Iłowa interchange and runs to the border between Lubusz and Lower Silesian voivodeships. It is 16.2 km long. Road authority:

On 21 January 2021, we signed an agreement to carry out the section under the traditional Build system. The works are scheduled for completion in the second half of 2023. The value of the works contract is PLN 175.1 million. The works are approximately 55% complete. As part of the project, the Iłowa interchange at the intersection with voivodeship road No. 296 will also be reconstructed.

Voivodeship border–Golnice

General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways: – The final contract is located entirely within Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It begins at the border between Lubusz and Lower Silesian voivodeships and ends at the Golnice interchange. The agreement to carry out this section was signed on 27 January 2021. The works are scheduled for completion in the second half of 2023. The section is 21.5 km long. The value of the works contract is PLN 258.7 million. Construction works here are the least advanced. Fifty-three per cent of the works have been completed..

What is the purpose of the project?

The Zielona Góra branch of GDDKiA reports:

The main task of the contractors is to fully adapt the existing road system to motorway parameters. The works mainly involve replacing the deteriorated surface of the southern carriageway and adapting the road’s load-bearing capacity to carry a load of 11.5 tonnes per axle. The old surface will be removed and replaced with a new concrete one, with the carriageway widened to 11 metres. Among other things, several new wildlife overpasses for large animals, as well as new viaducts and bridges, will be built, while some existing structures will be reconstructed.