A4 Kraków–Katowice: Free Tolls Soon & Major Expansion Planned

Poland’s A4 motorway connecting Kraków and Katowice is set for significant upgrades, including the addition of lanes, and will become toll-free for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes in approximately 13 months. The planned improvements, announced by Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak, represent a substantial investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure and are expected to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity.

Infrastructure Investment

The Ministry of Infrastructure has updated its investment program to include approximately 120 kilometers of motorway improvements. The total estimated cost of the expansion is 10 billion Polish Złoty (PLN). The project will focus on adding a third and fourth lane to the existing roadway, along with reconstruction and expansion of four road junctions and 36 engineering structures. Work on a 25.2 km section between the Murckowska junction and the Byczyna junction is already scheduled to take place between 2024 and 2028.

Minister Klimczak emphasized the necessity of the expansion, stating that the increased capacity is no longer an option but a requirement due to the high volume of traffic. Traffic measurements indicate that some sections of the A4 carry over 100,000 vehicles daily.

Toll-Free Access on the Horizon

A key element of the plan is the elimination of tolls on the Kraków–Katowice section of the A4 once the current concession agreement expires. This change, expected within roughly 13 months, will provide significant cost savings for drivers of vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. This follows a broader policy change implemented in July 2023, which made state-owned motorway sections (including the A2 Konin-Stryków and A4 Wrocław-Gliwice) toll-free for smaller vehicles.

Improved Access to Kraków Airport

Alongside the A4 expansion, a separate investment of approximately 2.5 billion PLN is planned to improve access to Kraków Airport. This project includes the construction of a new bridge over the Vistula River and the development of new access roads. The goal is to eliminate traffic bottlenecks and provide a more efficient connection between the airport and the motorway network.

The airport itself is undergoing expansion to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually, further underscoring the need for improved infrastructure. Minister Klimczak highlighted the importance of a robust road network to support the airport’s growth.

Financial Performance of A4 Operator

Stalexport Autostrady, the current concessionaire for the A4 Katowice-Kraków motorway, reported sales revenue of approximately 306.9 million PLN in the first half of 2025, an increase from approximately 277 million PLN in the first half of 2024. This revenue growth is attributed to increased motorway management and operation, including toll collection. The company is also investing in new service areas along the route, with contracts worth 60.4 million PLN awarded for the construction of facilities in Rudno and Grojec. These new service areas will include parking for cars, trucks, and buses, as well as sanitary facilities.

Impact on Toll Revenue

The planned removal of tolls on the Kraków-Katowice section of the A4 will inevitably impact Stalexport Autostrady’s revenue stream. The concession for this section is set to expire in 2026, according to information from Autopay Vignettes. While the company has been generating increased revenue from toll collection, the shift to toll-free access will require a reassessment of its financial strategy. The A4 motorway currently operates a mixed toll system, with tolls applied to certain sections and vehicles.

The broader Polish motorway toll system utilizes a combination of eTOLL (for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes), toll gates, and mobile apps for payment. The eTOLL system, a satellite-based system, is mandatory for trucks and other heavy vehicles across a wide network of roads. For cars under 3.5 tonnes, tolls are currently applicable on sections of the A1, A2, and A4 motorways.

The planned infrastructure improvements and the eventual removal of tolls on the Kraków-Katowice section of the A4 represent a significant development for transportation in Poland, promising to improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and support economic growth in the region.