Poland’s flagship transport programme, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), has reached a major procurement milestone, with four Polish‑led consortia formally submitting applications to participate in the competitive dialogue for the design and construction of the underground rail station and 6‑km tunnel beneath the country’s new international airport.
The tender—one of the most technically complex packages within the CPK programme—will shape the core underground infrastructure linking the future airport to Poland’s emerging high‑speed rail network.
A Fully Polish Line‑Up of Bidders
CPK confirmed that all applicants are companies based in Poland, underscoring the project’s emphasis on domestic participation and national supply‑chain development. The four consortia are:
• Mirbud (leader) with Kobylarnia and Torpol
• Mostostal Warszawa (leader) with NDI, NDI Sopot, and Intercor
• PORR (leader) with Gülermak
• Strabag (leader) with Tym‑Bud
Under the procurement rules, up to five bidders may advance to the competitive dialogue stage, meaning all four consortia are expected to progress.
A Tunnel and Station at the Heart of Poland’s New Transport Spine
The underground station and tunnel form the structural and operational backbone of the future CPK Airport. The platform hall alone will exceed 1.6 million m³, nearly three times the volume of Warsaw Central Station, while the tunnel will reach 3.5 million m³ and extend approximately 6 km beneath the terminal.
These assets are central to CPK’s ambition to integrate air travel with a nationwide high‑speed rail system, enabling seamless transfers between long‑distance, regional, and airport services.
Track Layout: Up to 12 Tracks to Support High‑Speed Operations
The east–west tunnel will carry railway lines 5, 85, and 88, providing direct connections to Warsaw, Łódź, Gdańsk, Katowice, and other major cities.
Key configuration features include:
• Six tracks entering the tunnel from the east
• Expansion to 12 tracks in the station area, including two passing tracks
• Ten platform edges to support high‑frequency, high‑speed operations
• Convergence back to six tracks on the western side, enabling onward connections toward Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Łódź
This layout is designed to future‑proof capacity as Poland’s high‑speed network expands.
Procurement Timeline and Commissioning Targets
The tender is divided into two lots—design and construction—with contract signing planned for Q1 2027.
According to the current programme:
• 2027 – Contract award and agreement signing
• 2032 – Commissioning of the tunnel and station, aligned with the opening of the Warsaw–Łódź high‑speed line
• 2035 – Completion of the remaining “Y‑line” branches toward Wrocław and Poznań
These timelines position the CPK underground works as one of the most significant civil engineering undertakings in Central Europe over the next decade.
A Strategic Project for Poland’s Future Mobility
The CPK airport tunnel and station represent more than a major engineering challenge—they are a cornerstone of Poland’s long‑term mobility strategy. By integrating aviation with a new high‑speed rail backbone, the project aims to reshape domestic and international connectivity, reduce travel times between key cities, and strengthen Poland’s position as a regional transport hub.
With four experienced consortia now preparing for the competitive dialogue phase, the project enters a decisive stage that will define the technical, logistical, and construction approach for this transformative piece of infrastructure. For further information please visit the tunnelbuilder archive here. 13/26.
