Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 15, Poland’s Central Port Communication (CPK) project, aimed at transforming the country’s transport infrastructure, has awarded a €412 million contract to a consortium led by Austria’s Porr Group. The agreement involves constructing a high-speed rail tunnel beneath Łódź, a key component of the new high-speed Line 85. This Y-shaped route will connect Warsaw, the new international airport, and Łódź by 2032, with extensions to Poznań and Wrocław planned for completion by 2035.
The tunnel will go under Łódź’s built up downtown, so CPK commissioned 70 technical assessments to asses the risk of building damage
Construction of the 4.6-kilometer tunnel, linking the future Retkinia and Fabryczna high-speed stations, will begin this year. The tunnel, designed for trains traveling up to 160 km/h, will be Poland’s longest and widest single-bore railway tunnel. A tunnel boring machine (TBM) with a 14-meter diameter will be used. The Porr-led consortium was selected in December 2024 based on a tender prioritizing price (70%) and team experience (30%).
To ensure safety in Łódź’s busy downtown area, CPK conducted 70 technical assessments to evaluate risks to buildings above the tunnel and propose protective measures. CPK’s chief executive, Dr. Filip Czernicki, emphasized the project’s diligence: “The assessments demonstrate that we are approaching this demanding project responsibly and in line with the highest execution standards.” Foundation reinforcement at the Łódź Cultural Centre, led by Keller Polska, began in September 2023. Budimex started building the Retkinia TBM launch chamber in December 2023, targeting completion by May 2025, while work on the Fabryczna reception chamber is ongoing.
CPK also announced 2025 tender plans for additional project components, including roads linking the new airport to the national network, the Warsaw-Łódź high-speed railway, general engineering for the airport, and a competitive dialogue for the airport terminal. Each contract is valued at over €234 million. In 2024, CPK launched approximately 60 tenders worth €1.93 billion.
The new airport and the initial railway section are scheduled to open by the end of 2032. Maciej Lasek, Poland’s deputy infrastructure minister and CPK representative, highlighted the importance of efficient procurement: “The publication of CPK’s procurement plan for this year aims to streamline the entire process and allow potential contractors to better prepare their bids. This will contribute to greater competitiveness and the highest possible quality of offers submitted to the company.”
These efforts reflect Poland’s commitment to modernizing its transport network, enhancing connectivity, and fostering sustainable infrastructure development.
