Port Polska Launches 14.3 km HSR Design-Build Poland

WARSAW, POLAND – Port Polska has initiated a new tender for a 14.3-kilometer section of the Warsaw–Łódź high-speed rail line, a key component of the infrastructure for Poland’s new central airport. The contract covers the segment between the airport hub and Bolimów, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for June 12. This is the second of six tenders planned for the full Warsaw–Łódź route.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The tender encompasses the detailed design and subsequent construction of a 14.3 km portion of Poland’s new Railway Line No. 85 under a design-build model. The contract scope includes all track, civil engineering, and support systems necessary for 350 km/h operation, featuring Poland’s new standard 25 kV AC power supply. The work specifically excludes the main hubs at either end, which will be tendered separately.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

This 14.3 km tender represents a significant technological advancement for Poland’s rail network, with its 350 km/h design speed far exceeding the 250 km/h speeds being enabled by current GSM-R and ETCS Level 2 upgrades on the existing Central Railway Line (Source: Developing Telecoms, 2026). While the contract’s value is undisclosed, it is a component of a multi-billion dollar national strategy. For perspective on project scale, a single segment of the new light rail system in Texas was awarded to Kiewit JV for a portion of a $7 billion project (Source: Construction Dive, 2025), indicating the high capital costs associated with new-build rail infrastructure.

Editor’s Analysis

This tender marks a critical step in Poland’s strategy to build a genuinely high-speed network rather than just incrementally upgrading legacy infrastructure. The adoption of the 25 kV AC power standard aligns the project with Western European networks, suggesting a long-term vision for international interoperability. The government’s explicit preference for Polish firms aims to leverage this massive infrastructure investment to strengthen the domestic construction sector, a national industrial strategy also reflected in major private sector manufacturing expansions (Source: Pratt & Whitney, 2026).

FAQ

Q: What is the new central airport this line will serve?
A: The line is a core component of the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), or Central Communication Port, a major greenfield transport hub project between Warsaw and Łódź designed to integrate air, rail, and road transport.

Q: What is the “Y” high-speed line?
A: The “Y” line is the name for Poland’s planned high-speed rail network. It will form a Y-shape connecting the cities of Warsaw, Łódź, Poznań, and Wrocław, with the new CPK airport at its central junction.

Q: When will the entire “Y” network be operational?
A: According to the official schedule, the Warsaw-Łódź section is planned for commissioning in 2032. The full network, including the branches to Poznań and Wrocław, is expected to be completed and operational by 2035.