PKP PLK Tenders €60M Warsaw Modlin Airport Rail Line

WARSAW, POLAND – Poland’s national rail infrastructure manager, PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK), has initiated the tender process for a new €60 million rail link to Warsaw Modlin Airport. The 5.5 km line will provide a direct connection from Modlin Station to the airport terminal. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 for completion in 2029.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The project covers the construction of a 5.5 km double-track, electrified line, a new station directly at the airport terminal, and the expansion of the existing Modlin Station with an additional track and platform. The scope also includes a new freight station and three road viaducts to separate rail and road traffic. The total estimated investment is €60 million, with funding sourced from the European program “European Funds for Mazovia 2021–2027” and supplemented by a €39 million contribution from regional authorities.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

This project is an enabling component of Poland’s much larger “Port Polska” strategic investment program, which includes the development of a new greenfield airport (Centralny Port Komunikacyjny) and a national high-speed rail network scheduled to open in 2032 (Source: Port Polska). The Modlin link’s cost of approximately €10.9 million per kilometre is focused on upgrading access to an existing secondary airport. For comparison, the 2015 modernization of the 12 km rail link to Kraków Airport, which involved upgrading an existing line, cost over €200 million, reflecting the higher complexity of brownfield upgrades in dense urban areas.

Editor’s Analysis

The Modlin Airport rail link demonstrates Poland’s two-pronged transport strategy: enhancing connectivity for existing infrastructure while simultaneously pursuing the massive greenfield Port Polska hub. The inclusion of a freight station, though details on its capacity are not disclosed, aligns with the broader European trend of shifting cargo to electrified rail to improve logistics efficiency amid rising road transport costs. This project serves as a relatively quick, high-impact investment to improve regional mobility ahead of the more complex national high-speed network’s completion.

FAQ

Q: Why is this new rail line being built?
A: The line is being built to replace the current inconvenient journey for passengers, which requires a transfer from a train to a dedicated shuttle bus at Modlin Station to reach the airport terminal.

Q: Is this project connected to the planned new Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) airport?
A: Yes, this investment is part of the overarching “Port Polska” strategic program, which also includes the new CPK airport. It serves to upgrade the existing transport network in the Mazovia region while the new national hub is developed.

Q: What is the planned capacity of the new freight station?
A: The specific capacity, track configuration, and intended cargo types for the planned freight station at Modlin have not been publicly disclosed by PKP PLK.