Alstom Secures Onvia Signalling for Poland’s 4.6 km Łódź Tunnel

WARSAW, POLAND – Construction firm Porr has awarded Alstom a contract to design and install railway traffic control systems for the new 4.6 km Łódź high-speed tunnel. The agreement covers the implementation of Alstom’s Onvia signalling portfolio and its integration with the Łódź Widzew station. This marks Alstom’s first signalling contract under Poland’s Port Polska investment programme for high-speed rail.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The contract mandates Alstom to provide the complete design, delivery, and installation of signalling solutions within the 4.6 km twin-bore tunnel. This scope includes full integration with existing infrastructure at the Łódź Widzew station area to ensure interoperability. The project will be managed by Alstom’s engineering team based in Katowice, Poland, and is crucial for enabling safe train operations at speeds up to 160 km/h within the tunnel.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

The financial details of this contract have not been made public, making a direct value comparison difficult. However, the project’s technical scope aligns with a broader national trend of upgrading Polish rail infrastructure with modern, interoperable systems like ETCS. Alstom’s Onvia portfolio competes directly with systems like Siemens Mobility’s Trainguard and Thales’s Aramis ETCS solutions, which are also widely deployed across European networks to ensure cross-border compatibility. The selection of a specific supplier often depends on integration requirements with existing regional infrastructure and long-term service agreements.

Editor’s Analysis

This award positions Alstom at the core of Poland’s strategic high-speed rail development, a critical part of the TEN-T network expansion. Securing this signalling contract within the flagship CPK “Y” line project provides a significant foothold for future work on the network as it expands to Wrocław and Poznań by 2035. The project aligns with the Polish market trend for 2025, which emphasizes adopting advanced digital signalling to boost network capacity and safety (Source: Market Context Data, 2025). However, independent verification data did not corroborate the contract award at the time of publication, which may indicate the announcement precedes wider public or financial disclosure.

FAQ

Q: What is the Alstom Onvia signalling system?
A: Onvia is Alstom’s brand for its mainline signalling solutions, which includes European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS/ETCS) components. These systems enable interoperable and safer train operations, particularly on high-speed and cross-border lines.

Q: What is the maximum speed for trains in the Łódź tunnel?
A: The tunnel itself is designed for train speeds up to 160 km/h. It is part of the larger “Y” railway line, which will eventually support operations at speeds up to 350 km/h on open sections of the network.

Q: Is this tunnel only for high-speed trains?
A: Yes, this specific 4.6 km tunnel will be dedicated exclusively to long-distance and high-speed services. Poland’s national infrastructure manager, PKP PLK, is concurrently building a separate tunnel for regional and commuter traffic in Łódź.