Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has awarded a contract for the construction of a new high-speed rail (HSR) tunnel in Łódź to a consortium led by PORR.
The tunnel forms a key part of Line 85, the Y-shaped corridor that will connect Warsaw and the planned CPK airport with Łódź by 2032, and extend to Wrocław and Poznań by 2035.
Valued at 1.761 billion PLN, the contract covers the section between the Retkinia and Fabryczna launch and reception chambers. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.
The Łódź tunnel will be the longest and widest single-bore railway tunnel in Poland. At 4.6 kilometres long and approximately 14 metres in diameter, it will accommodate two tracks and allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h. It is designed specifically for long-distance and high-speed trains, with a key stop at Łódź Fabryczna.
Unlike the parallel PKP PLK agglomeration tunnel, which focuses on local rail, the CPK tunnel will link with national and international corridors.
Given the tunnel’s route beneath densely populated areas of Łódź, CPK has placed a strong emphasis on safety and technical diligence. Over 70 additional structural assessments are being carried out by Albraco on buildings along the alignment. Each inspection includes diagnostic surveys, safety evaluations, and recommendations for any necessary protective or remedial measures.
Work is already underway to prepare for tunnelling. Foundation reinforcement at the Łódź Cultural Centre is being carried out by Keller Polska. Meanwhile, Budimex is on track to complete the Retkinia launch chamber by May and has begun constructing the Fabryczna reception chamber in a two-phase process. This work was awarded under two previous contracts.
The project is part of the EU’s TEN-T North Sea–Baltic Corridor, intended to improve connectivity and economic integration across Central and Eastern Europe. By linking major Polish cities with neighbouring countries, the corridor strengthens Poland’s role within the trans-European transport network.
