CPK Confirms Six Bids for 13 km Poland HSR Section

WARSAW, POLAND – Poland’s Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has received applications from six consortia to participate in the tender for the design and construction of the first segment of its high-speed rail network. The 13 km Kotowice–Airport section is the initial construction phase of the new Warsaw–Łódź line. The selection of the winning bidder and contract signing are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The contract covers the design and construction of the 13 km double-track railway line No. 85, which will connect Kotowice to the new CPK airport. This project is the first of six planned construction sections that will form the approximately 120 km Warsaw–Łódź high-speed corridor. The infrastructure must be built to support operational speeds of up to 350 km/h and will utilize a new 25 kV AC power supply system.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

The entry of six consortia signifies strong international interest, which is typical for high-value European rail tenders. However, this tender’s scope—a new-build, high-speed civil infrastructure project—is fundamentally different from many recent large-scale European contracts focused on fleet renewal. For instance, recent orders for Stadler POLARIS trains by Gornergrat Bahn or 80 Vectron locomotives by Siemens and Akiem involve rolling stock for existing or upgraded lines, not the creation of an entirely new high-speed corridor from the ground up (Source: Global Railway Review, 2024).

Editor’s Analysis

This tender marks a critical transition for Poland’s CPK megaproject from the planning and design phase to physical construction, making it a key indicator of program momentum. The outcome will be a crucial test of the government’s ability to execute on its ambitious infrastructure goals, which are part of a wider strategic push to modernize the national rail network (Source: Poland Rail Investment Trend Data, 2025). The explicit requirement for key personnel to speak Polish suggests a strategy to integrate international expertise with the development of domestic high-speed rail capabilities.

FAQ

Q: What is the “Y” line in Poland?
A: The “Y” line is the name for Poland’s planned high-speed rail network. It will eventually connect Warsaw, Łódź, Poznań, and Wrocław, forming a shape resembling the letter Y.

Q: When will the full Warsaw–Łódź high-speed line be operational?
A: The current schedule projects the opening of the entire Warsaw–Łódź line in 2032, which is planned to coincide with the opening of the new CPK airport. The full “Y” line connection to Poznań and Wrocław is targeted for 2035.

Q: What are the main criteria for selecting the construction contractor?
A: Initial selection is based on experience with similar construction projects and the Polish language skills of key personnel. In the final bid evaluation, the decisive criteria will be the price and the length of the extended warranty period offered.