Podłęże–Piekiełko Project Completes First 3.75 km Tunnel Poland

WARSAW, POLAND – State-owned operator PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe has announced the completion of boring for the first railway tunnel in southern Poland after 10 months of work. The 3.75-kilometer tunnel, excavated by the TBM “Jadwiga,” is a key component of the new Podłęże–Piekiełko line, which aims to significantly reduce travel times in the Małopolska region.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The Podłęże–Piekiełko project is the largest single investment by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe, with a total estimated cost of approximately €4 billion (17 billion zlotys). The initiative involves modernizing 75 km of existing track on Railway Line No. 104 (Chabówka–Nowy Sącz) and constructing 58 km of entirely new, double-track electrified line designed for speeds up to 160 km/h. The project’s most complex element is the creation of over 31 km of underground structures, comprising 16 railway tunnels and 4 evacuation tunnels.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The scale of the Podłęże–Piekiełko project places it among Europe’s major new-build railway infrastructure works. For comparison, the UK’s East West Rail project, which involves constructing a new line between Oxford and Cambridge, is a similarly ambitious undertaking aimed at establishing a new strategic corridor. While the Polish project focuses on mountainous terrain requiring extensive tunneling, the UK project involves significant land acquisition and civil works across flatter topography, with a projected completion for the full line in the mid to late 2030s (Source: Construction News, 2026). The specific completion date for the entire Podłęże–Piekiełko line has not yet been announced, making direct timeline comparisons preliminary.

Editor’s Analysis

This milestone confirms Poland’s commitment to leveraging national and EU funds for transformative infrastructure, aligning with a national strategy to expand and modernize its core rail network. The project not only addresses passenger needs by cutting journey times to southern tourist destinations like Zakopane but also enhances freight capacity, which supports the wider national economy, including efforts by state-backed industrial firms like KGHM to reduce domestic logistics costs (Source: Mining.com). The reuse of the TBM on subsequent sections demonstrates a capital-efficient approach to tackling the project’s most challenging engineering elements.

FAQ

Q: What are the main benefits for passengers once the project is complete?
A: The primary benefit will be a significant reduction in travel times. The journey between Kraków and Nowy Sącz is projected to take approximately 60 minutes, while the Kraków to Zakopane route will be reduced to about 90 minutes.

Q: What is the next step for the completed tunnel?
A: With the boring finished, work will now focus on connecting the main and escape tunnels, followed by laying tracks, installing the overhead power line, and implementing safety and traffic control systems before testing and certification can begin.

Q: When will the entire Podłęże–Piekiełko line be open for service?
A: A final commissioning date for the entire 58 km new line has not been officially disclosed. The completion of this first tunnel is a major step, but work is still required on 19 other tunnels and multiple sections of the route.