Poland High-Speed Rail: 2026 Construction Update

Poland’s ambitious high-speed rail network, part of the CPK project, will connect major cities by 2040, boosting economic growth.

Poland High-Speed Rail: 2026 Construction Update
July 25, 2023 4:26 pm
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Poland High-Speed Rail (CPK) Network: Project Profile

Poland’s ambitious High-Speed Rail (HSR) network, a core component of the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) megaproject, is under construction to establish a 2,000 km system connecting major Polish cities and integrating with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Designed for speeds up to 350 km/h, the network aims to revolutionize national and international transit from its central hub at the new CPK international airport.

AttributeDetails
Project NamePoland High-Speed Rail Network (CPK Rail Program)
LocationPoland, with cross-border connections to EU neighbours
Owner/OperatorCentralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK Sp. z o.o.)
Total Network LengthApprox. 2,000 km (new lines)
Maximum Design Speed350 km/h
Planned Operational Speed250 km/h
Estimated CostMulti-billion EUR; funded by national budget and EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
Project Status (Nov 2025)Under Construction (Phase 1); Preparatory and design works ongoing for subsequent phases
Key ContractorsVarious; contracts for design, engineering, and construction awarded through international tenders.

Technical Specifications

The network’s core is a “Y-shaped” system linking Warsaw and the CPK hub with Łódź, from where lines diverge towards Wrocław and Poznań. This backbone is supplemented by ten additional “spokes” to ensure comprehensive national coverage. A key civil engineering challenge is the construction of a new high-speed, large-diameter tunnel beneath the city of Łódź, designed to facilitate seamless passage for long-distance trains. The entire network will be built to the 1435 mm standard gauge, ensuring full interoperability with the wider European HSR system. Signalling and train control will be managed by the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Level 2, with GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway) providing robust voice and data communication for safe, high-speed operations. Rolling stock will be procured through competitive tenders to meet the demanding performance specifications required for 250 km/h service.

Key Takeaways

  • National Economic Integration: The project will drastically reduce travel times between Poland’s key economic centres, such as Warsaw to Wrocław, fostering greater business mobility and regional development.
  • European TEN-T Corridor Integration: By connecting to the German, Czech, and Slovakian rail systems, the CPK network solidifies Poland’s role within the core TEN-T corridors, enhancing international passenger and freight flows.
  • Multimodal Hub Development: The rail network is intrinsically linked to the new CPK airport, creating one of Europe’s largest integrated air-rail-road transport hubs and positioning Poland as a major international transit point.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will Poland’s high-speed rail open?

The first key section of Poland’s high-speed rail network, connecting Warsaw and Łódź, is scheduled to become operational around 2028, aligning with the opening of the new CPK airport. The entire 2,000 km network is being built in phases and is expected to be completed by 2040.

Who is building the new Polish high-speed railway?

The overall project is managed by the state-owned company Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK). The detailed design, engineering, and physical construction are being handled by multiple specialist national and international firms selected through competitive public tenders.