CPK signs contract for construction of High-Speed Rail tunnel in Łódź
Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has signed a contract for the construction of a 4.6 km long, 14-metre wide High-Speed Rail (HSR) tunnel in Łódź. The project, valued at approximately PLN 2.1 billion gross, will be carried out by construction company PORR.
This investment is a key segment of railway line no. 85 – part of the strategic “Y” route, which by 2032 will connect Warsaw and the future CPK Airport with Łódź, and by 2035 will enable the launch of the fastest HSR connections to Wrocław and Poznań.
The tunnel in Łódź will form part of the North Sea–Baltic corridor of the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). It will be critical in enabling HSR services from Łódź towards Poznań and Wrocław. With a diameter of 14 metres and a length of 4.6 km, it will be the longest and widest railway tunnel in Poland constructed using a single TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) section. Trains will pass beneath the city centre at depths ranging from 25 to 35 metres.
The long-distance tunnel in Łódź, a key element of the 'Y’ line, will enable high-speed trains to pass efficiently beneath the very centre of Łódź, resulting in attractive journey times between Warsaw, Sieradz, Wrocław, and Poznań. This investment is backed by hard data, providing both economic and transport justification. The construction of the CPK project in Łódź is closely coordinated with the ongoing implementation of the metropolitan tunnel by PKP PLK, which will improve travel between the city’s districts,
The signing of the contract for the Łódź tunnel demonstrates that the CPK investment programme is progressing in accordance with the adopted schedule. I would also like to stress that this is a vital element of the emerging infrastructure, which will serve as a major catalyst for the economic and social development of the Łódź region,
The HSR tunnel in Łódź is part of a new railway line which, like all CPK infrastructure, is being developed according to dual-use standards, for both civilian and defence purposes. The HSR lines, CPK Airport, and surrounding road infrastructure are being built to security standards set by the Polish government and the European Union. CPK will be a key element in Poland’s resilience system in times of crisis,
PORR will have four years from the signing date to complete the project.
We are extremely pleased with the decision to entrust PORR with the construction of the CPK long-distance tunnel. This represents a great vote of confidence and a commitment to deliver a project of exceptional scale and technical complexity – unprecedented on the Polish market. Our team comprises experienced engineers who not only understand advanced technologies but know how to implement them effectively in densely built-up and geologically challenging urban environments. I believe our expertise and culture of engineering precision and responsibility will ensure a safe, efficient and timely delivery of the project,
Construction of the tunnel will commence later this year. In the first stage, the contractor will prepare the detailed design documentation and logistics for the tunnel boring machine. Works will begin from the launch shaft at „Retkinia” towards the receiving shaft at „Fabryczna”, with actual boring operations set to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.
To mitigate the impact of tunnelling on existing urban infrastructure, geotechnical reinforcement will be carried out to prevent ground subsidence. Structural protections will also be implemented to enhance building safety and stability. Buildings along the tunnel route will be monitored through a geodetic system providing continuous updates on structural conditions during the works.
Additional technical assessments of existing buildings along the planned tunnel route are currently underway. Certified structural experts will produce full technical documentation, including load-bearing capacity, stability and structural safety evaluations.
This is the second major railway tunnel project in Łódź. Unlike the city-centre tunnel being developed by PKP PLK – with which this project is coordinated – the CPK tunnel is designed primarily for long-distance services, especially high-speed trains. In Łódź, HSR trains will stop at the Łódź Fabryczna station.
