Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) and PORR have signed a contract for the construction of a nearly 5-kilometre high-speed railway tunnel in Łódź, set to become the longest of its kind in Poland. The tunnel is a crucial element of the strategic railway line 85—part of the “Y” route linking Warsaw, the future central airport, and Łódź. Valued at over EUR 400 million (PLN 1.7 billion), the project is scheduled for completion within 48 months.
A major milestone in Poland’s transport infrastructure development is underway, as PORR has been awarded the contract to build a high-speed railway tunnel in Łódź. The tunnel forms a central component of the “Y” high-speed rail line, which will link Warsaw, the new central airport, and Łódź, significantly reducing travel times and improving regional connectivity.
Located between Warsaw and Łódź, the new Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) airport is spurring extensive transport upgrades, including this technically ambitious tunnel. “This high-speed railway line is a crucial part of expanding Poland’s transport infrastructure,” said Karl-Heinz Strauss, CEO of PORR. “The size and complexity of this tunnel are unprecedented in Poland, and we are honored by the trust placed in us by CPK.”
A Record-Breaking Tunnel
The tunnel will stretch approximately 4.6 km, making it the longest and widest railway tunnel in Poland constructed in a single bore. It will run from the “Retkinia” launch shaft to the “Fabryczna” exit shaft in Łódź and is designed for two-way high-speed travel at up to 160 km/h. The excavation will be carried out by a massive tunnel boring machine (TBM) weighing around 3,200 tonnes and equipped with a 14-meter-diameter cutterhead.
The scope of the contract includes construction of five supply shafts along the route, as well as internal works on the launch and exit shafts already being developed under a separate contract. PORR will also be responsible for installing the full operational infrastructure—water and wastewater systems, electrical and telecommunications systems, fire protection, and additional roadworks and site development.
Slab Track Austria Technology Makes Polish Debut
For the first time in Poland, PORR will deploy its proprietary Slab Track Austria system within a railway tunnel. This advanced track technology, designed for high-speed trains of up to 400 km/h, replaces traditional ballast-based systems with prefabricated concrete slabs. The system offers enhanced durability, stability, and precision while minimizing noise and vibrations—key benefits in densely populated or urban areas.
Proven Track Record in Tunnel Construction
PORR brings extensive experience in tunnel construction across Europe, including several high-profile projects in Poland. Recent accomplishments include the S3 Bolków–Kamienna Góra tunnels and the 2.3 km TS-26 tunnel, Poland’s longest non-urban tunnel constructed in hard rock using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). Other significant projects include the Świna Strait tunnel connecting the islands of Usedom and Wolin, and the innovative widening of a historic tunnel in Lower Silesia using the tunnel-in-tunnel method, a first in Poland.
Piotr Kledzik, CEO of PORR S.A., emphasized the team’s readiness: “Our engineers have delivered complex railway tunnels across Europe. This project presents both urban density and geological challenges, but we are confident that our expertise, precision, and commitment will ensure its safe and timely delivery.”
The Łódź tunnel project is scheduled for completion within four years and is poised to become a landmark in Poland’s infrastructure development, enhancing mobility and setting new engineering standards in the region.
