Four Consortia Enter Dialogue for CPK Airport Tunnel

Why It Matters

The tunnel will dramatically improve Poland’s intercity rail connectivity, supporting economic growth and positioning the nation as a key European transport hub. Its timely delivery is critical to synchronise with the broader high‑speed network rollout.

Key Takeaways

• Four consortia start competitive dialogue for CPK tunnel project
• Tunnel spans 6 km, excavating roughly 3.5 million cubic meters
• Contract split into station hub lot and western tunnel lot
• Award expected Q1 2027; completion slated for end‑20232
• Project links Warsaw, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Łódź, enhancing Poland’s rail network

Pulse Analysis

The Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is Poland’s flagship multimodal hub, designed to replace the current Warsaw‑Modlin airport and serve as a catalyst for a high‑speed rail network across the country. A key component of the Port Polska programme is a 6‑kilometre underground rail tunnel that will run beneath the new airport, housing up to twelve tracks in the central station box. By integrating high‑speed and conventional services, the tunnel aims to cut travel times between Warsaw, Łódź, Gdańsk and Wrocław, positioning Poland as a central node in the broader European corridor.

The procurement process has entered a competitive dialogue phase, with four seasoned consortia—MIRBUD‑KOBYLARNIA‑TORPOL, MOSTOSTAL‑NDI‑INTERCOR, PORR‑Gülermak, and STRABAG‑TYM‑BUD—vying for the design‑build contract. The work is divided into two lots: an eastern‑central segment that includes the underground station and interchange hub, and a western segment covering tunnel excavation and track junctions. Optional scope covers track systems and handling‑equipment commissioning. Up to five bidders may advance to the next stage, with the final award targeted for the first quarter of 2027, reflecting a rigorous selection aimed at ensuring timely delivery.

Successful completion of the tunnel by the end of 2032 will synchronize with the launch of the Warsaw‑Łódź high‑speed line, while subsequent Y‑shaped extensions to Poznań and Wrocław are slated for 2035. The infrastructure promises to boost passenger capacity, attract foreign investment, and stimulate regional economic growth by improving connectivity to major Polish cities and neighboring markets. However, the project’s scale—3.5 million cubic metres of excavation—and its tight schedule pose engineering and financing challenges that will test the capabilities of the selected consortium and Poland’s public‑private partnership framework.