The Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has launched a major procurement for the design and construction of the tunnel and railway station located directly beneath the new CPK Airport, marking another key milestone in the development of Poland’s flagship transport hub.
The newly announced tender covers the design and construction of a six-kilometre tunnel and underground station, which will form an integral part of the future CPK Airport complex. Once complete, the facility will provide seamless interchange between air and high-speed rail, connecting the new airport with Warsaw, Łódź, Gdańsk, Katowice, and Poznań.
Applications for the competitive dialogue procedure are open until 12 December 2025, with contract awards scheduled for the first quarter of 2027 and completion planned by 2031.
“Following the launch of the terminal tender, we’re moving forward with another major procurement – this time for the tunnel and railway station beneath the airport. We’re seeking a contractor with proven experience in large-scale tunnelling and infrastructure projects in Poland,” said Maciej Lasek, Government Plenipotentiary for CPK and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure.
One of Poland’s largest underground structures
The rail tunnel, extending approximately six kilometres with a total volume of 3.5 million cubic metres, will be one of the largest underground structures ever built in Poland. It will run along an east–west axis, carrying railway lines 5, 85 and 88, and forming a strategic part of the national high-speed rail network.
The tunnel will link Warsaw to the east with Gdańsk, Katowice and Łódź to the west, ensuring rapid and reliable connections across the country. It will also form the core section of Line 85, which will directly connect CPK Airport with Warsaw and Łódź.
“The tunnel is an integral part of high-speed line No. 85 linking the CPK Airport with Warsaw and Łódź. The station will form a fully integrated part of the terminal, enabling smooth and rapid transfers between rail and air,” said Dr Filip Czernicki, CEO of CPK.
Two main lots and optional work packages
The procurement is divided into two main lots, each covering distinct sections of the tunnel:
- Part 1: Design and construction of the eastern and central tunnel sections, including the underground station and platform hall.
- Part 2: Design and construction of the western section and junction area.
Each lot also includes optional work packages for installing track systems and internal transport equipment (UTB) to support short-distance passenger and cargo transfers within the complex.
The bids will be evaluated on price, technical methodology, and warranty conditions.
“The CPK Airport Station and rail tunnel will feature a modern design and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring fast and convenient transfers for passengers,” said Piotr Rachwalski, CPK Management Board Member for Railway Investments.
A cornerstone of Poland’s high-speed rail network
The tunnel and underground station will play a pivotal role in the broader CPK high-speed rail programme, which aims to transform Poland’s transport network through new, fast, and fully electrified rail lines.
According to the current schedule, the railway station and tunnel beneath CPK Airport will open by the end of 2032, coinciding with the start of operations on the Warsaw–Łódź high-speed line. The remaining sections of the national “Y” network — from Łódź to Wrocław and Sieradz to Poznań — are expected to follow by 2035.
The project is among the most technically ambitious components of the wider CPK programme, which combines air, rail, and road infrastructure to create a multimodal hub positioned between Warsaw and Łódź. Once operational, the complex will enable travellers to reach most major Polish cities within two and a half hours by train and facilitate seamless international connections.
Driving connectivity and growth
The tender announcement follows CPK’s recent procurement for the airport passenger terminal, launched earlier this year, signalling sustained progress toward construction of the main infrastructure components.
As one of the central investment projects under Poland’s national transport strategy, the CPK programme is expected to strengthen economic development, attract foreign investment, and enhance mobility across Central Europe.
By integrating high-speed rail directly beneath the airport terminal, CPK will provide a model for sustainable, multimodal transport, reducing the need for short-haul domestic flights and shifting passenger demand toward rail.
“This next stage of procurement brings us closer to delivering a fully connected, future-proof transport system for Poland and the region,” said Dr Czernicki.
The CPK project remains one of Europe’s most significant infrastructure developments — and the tunnel and station beneath the airport will form its strategic core, enabling high-speed connections that will redefine how people and goods move across Poland.
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