CPK Poland’s Rail Expansion: High-Speed Tunnel & Station

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Introduction

Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has initiated a tender for the design and construction of an underground tunnel and railway station beneath the planned CPK Airport. The project, which aims to establish rail links to major Polish cities, requires interested bidders to submit applications by 12 December 2025.

Tender Details and Structure

The procurement process is divided into two lots. The first lot encompasses the design and construction of the eastern and central tunnel sections, including the station. The second lot covers the western section and junction area. Both lots include optional provisions for track systems and internal transport equipment to facilitate short-distance passenger and cargo movement. Up to five bidders will be shortlisted for each lot.

Project Timeline and Scope

CPK anticipates awarding the contract in Q1 2027, with project completion scheduled for 2031. The proposed tunnel will measure approximately 6km in length and is expected to have a total volume of 3.5 million m3. This tunnel will provide infrastructure for railway lines 5, 85, and 88, offering direct connections to Warsaw, Gdańsk, Katowice, and Łódź.

Integration with Existing and Planned Rail Networks

According to CPK’s schedule, the railway station and tunnel beneath the airport are expected to open in late 2032, coinciding with the introduction of a high-speed rail line between Warsaw and Łódź. Additional sections of Poland’s national high-speed “Y” network, linking Łódź to Wrocław and Sieradz to Poznań, are projected for completion by 2035.

Recent and Related Projects

In July this year, CPK launched a tender to appoint a general contract engineer (GCE) for its new airport project. In April this year, CPK awarded a 1.76bn zlotys ($465.7m) contract to a consortium led by PORR for the construction of a high-speed rail tunnel in Łódź. In December 2024, five companies bid to build a railway tunnel on line no. 85 in Łódź. The project’s budget is 2.8bn zlotys ($684.4m), with bids ranging from 2.16bn zlotys to 2.79bn zlotys. In January 2023, RB Rail signed an MoU with Poland’s CPK and Czech rail operator Správa železnic, státní organizace (SZCZ) to collaborate on developing a high-speed rail network in North-East Europe. The CPK investment in Łódź forms part of the trans-European North Sea–Baltic Corridor.

Conclusion

CPK has initiated a tender for the design and construction of an underground tunnel and railway station beneath the planned CPK Airport, with applications due by 12 December 2025. The project includes two lots, and the contract is expected to be awarded in Q1 2027, with completion scheduled for 2031. The tunnel, approximately 6km in length, will support railway lines 5, 85, and 88, providing direct connections to Warsaw, Gdańsk, Katowice, and Łódź. The railway station and tunnel are planned to open in late 2032, coinciding with the high-speed rail line between Warsaw and Łódź.

Company Summary

CPK: Centralny Port Komunikacyjny is the company undertaking the airport and rail infrastructure projects.

PORR: A construction company.

RB Rail: The joint venture coordinating Rail Baltica.

Správa železnic, státní organizace (SZCZ): Czech rail operator.

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