Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has contracted PORR to construct the 4.6-kilometre high-speed rail tunnel under the city of Łódź.
The tunnel, which will measure 14 metres in diameter, is set to become the longest and widest rail tunnel in Poland, constructed in a single section using a tunnel boring machine (TBM). The investment is valued at approximately 2.2 billion PLN.
The tunnel forms part of railway line no. 85, commonly referred to as the “Y” line. This line will connect Warsaw and the future CPK airport with Łódź by 2032, and will subsequently enable high-speed services towards Wrocław and Poznań by 2035.
The long-distance tunnel through Łódź will facilitate the movement of high-speed trains beneath the city centre, linking Warsaw, Sieradz, Wrocław and Poznań. It will run at depths of between 25 and 35 metres.
The tunnel is being delivered alongside the metropolitan rail tunnel, overseen by national rail infrastructure operator PKP PLK, which focuses on local transport needs within the city.
Dr Filip Czernicki, CEO of CPK said:The HSR tunnel under Łódź is part of a new railway line which, like the entire CPK infrastructure, is built to dual-use standards – for both civilian and military purposes. The HSR lines, the CPK Airport, and the surrounding road network are all being constructed to safety standards set by the Polish government and the European Union. The CPK project will be a vital component of Poland’s resilience system in times of crisis.
Construction will begin later in 2025. In the first phase, PORR will finalise the detailed execution design and prepare the construction site. Tunnelling is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, starting from the launch shaft in the Retkinia district and progressing towards the reception shaft at Łódź Fabryczna station.
Surveyors are currently assessing the condition of structures along the tunnel’s route, with particular focus on their load-bearing capacity and general stability. A geodetic monitoring network will remain in place throughout the construction process.
Piotr Kledzik, CEO of PORR said:We’re honoured to lead the CPK tunnel project, one of unprecedented scale and complexity in Poland. Our experienced team is well-versed in advanced technologies and in delivering projects in dense, geologically challenging urban areas. I’m confident our expertise and commitment will ensure safe, efficient, and timely completion.
