“Y” HSR line moves forward: Environmental decision application for Sieradz–Pleszew section
CPK has submitted an environmental decision request for the 74 km high-speed rail section between Sieradz, Kalisz, and Pleszew to the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Poznań. Two months ago, a similar request was made for the Pleszew–Poznań section. Both sections, part of the planned 480 km "Y" line, are set for completion by 2035.
Design work on the Sieradz–Poznań section has been underway since February 2024, led by BBF and IDOM, who also prepared the feasibility study.
“The ‘Y’ line will be Poland’s rail backbone, increasing travel speeds to 320 km/h and providing a real alternative to cars. It will also benefit residents of towns like Kalisz, Pleszew, and Sieradz,” said Maciej Lasek, government plenipotentiary for CPK.
The “Y” line, linking Warsaw, CPK, Łódź, Poznań, and Wrocław, is part of the EU’s TEN-T network. CPK secured PLN 162m from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for project documentation.
We are meeting key milestones. Both environmental requests for the Sieradz–Poznań route account for a design speed of 350 km/h. This could allow travel from Warsaw to Poznań in 1 hour 38 minutes
Timeline for Sieradz–Kalisz–Pleszew–Poznań section:
- Q2 2025 – Programme and spatial concept development
- Q3 2026 – Construction design
- Q4 2026 – Construction permit application
- Q2 2027 – Permit approval
- Q1 2028 – Construction begins
These steps align with ongoing work on the full 480 km “Y” line, a key CPK investment.
Overall “Y” High-Speed Rail timeline:
- 2024 – Tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch chamber built in Retkinia, tender announced
- 2025 – Contract signing for tunnel boring
- 2025/26 – Construction tenders for Warsaw–Łódź section
- 2026 – Work begins on Warsaw–Łódź line
- 2027–28 – Construction starts on Łódź–Wrocław and Sieradz–Poznań sections
- 2032 – Warsaw–CPK–Łódź line opens alongside CPK airport
- By 2035 – Gradual opening of Łódź–Wrocław and Sieradz–Poznań sections
Regional Planning Workshops
CPK, PKP PLK, and the Institute for Urban and Regional Development (IRMiR) are holding workshops across Poland’s 16 regions to shape the Integrated Railway Network (ZSK).
We aren’t presenting a pre-set concept but listening to local leaders, experts, and scientists to create a stable national rail development plan
Workshops have taken place in five regions so far, with the rest planned by March. The findings will feed into the Passenger and Freight Transport Models, shaping rail infrastructure post-2035.
Long-term investment: Nearly PLN 132 billion for CPK
CPK’s Multiannual Programme (2024–2032) includes PLN 76.8 billion for railway projects, funded by bonds and EU grants. The extended timeline allows completion of around 320 km of high-speed rail.
The updated plan ensures funding for the Warsaw–CPK–Łódź route by 2032, as well as most of the Sieradz–Poznań works. The latest plan secures financing for the high-speed tunnel west of Warsaw.
Beyond the “Y” line, funding covers 880 km of additional projects, including Katowice–Czech border planning and pre-design work on CMK-North (CPK–Płock–Włocławek) and CPK–Warka.
EU Funding for CPK Rail Investments
To date, the EU has granted CPK over PLN 550m for rail projects. In 2025, CPK applied for an additional PLN 1.18bn from the CEF 2021–2027 fund, already approved by Polish ministries.
Secured EU Funding:
- Warsaw–Poznań (pre-design) – PLN 49.5m
- Łódź long-distance tunnel (design) – PLN 59.4m
- Katowice–Ostrava (pre-design) – PLN 7.5m
- Warsaw–Łódź (excluding CPK hub, design) – PLN 279m
- Sieradz–Pleszew–Poznań (design) – PLN 162m
January 2025 EU funding applications:
- Łódź high-speed rail tunnel (construction) – PLN 845.5m
- CPK railway hub (design) – PLN 75.4m
- Katowice–border section (design) – PLN 79.1m
