Five bids submitted for construction of Poland’s longest railway tunnel

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As the evaluation process of these bids begins, the outcome hinges on the thoroughness and quality of the documentation provided according to project promoter CPK.

The contract, which is the largest tender CPK has launched to date, involves the construction of a 4.6km-long tunnel connecting the “Retkinia” chamber to the “Fabryczna” chamber. This tunnel aims to enhance high-speed rail connectivity between major Polish cities, including Warsaw, Wrocław and Poznań.

The CPK has allocated PLN 2.8bn (£543M) gross for the project, with the bids ranging from PLN 2.166bn (£420M) to PLN 2.797bn (£542.5M) gross. All submissions fall within the allocated budget, which CPK said indicates its diligent preparation.

The evaluation criteria prioritise price and personnel qualifications, giving 70% weight to cost and 30% to the contractor’s qualifications. The awarded contractor is expected to complete the project within 46 months of signing the contract, anticipated to take place in the second half of 2025.

The complexity of the project is underscored by the extensive documentation required for the tender—around 2,000 documents in total—and CPK fielded approximately 1,000 questions from 25 potential bidders. The tunnel construction is particularly notable as it will traverse densely populated areas in Łódź, necessitating careful geotechnical assessments and structural safeguards from the selected contractor.

Construction is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with completion expected by the third quarter of 2028.

The broader rail project, which includes the entire stretch of railway line no. 85 between Warsaw and Łódź, is set to become operational by 2032, coinciding with the launch of a new national airport CPK. Once complete, the travel time between Warsaw and Łódź is projected to be reduced to just 40 minutes, facilitating the “100 Minutes Poland” project aimed at enhancing the country’s rail connections.

The bids submitted are from the following contractors:

• PORR – PLN 1.76bn (£341M) net / PLN 2.17bn (£421M) gross
• Gülermak – PLN 2.10bn (£407M) net / PLN 2.58bn (£500M) gross
• China Harbour Engineering Co. – PLN 2.10bn (£407M) net / PLN 2.58bn (£500M) gross NDI (leading a consortium with DOĞUŞ İNŞAAT VE TİCARET) – PLN 2.11bn (£409M) net / PLN 2.59bn (£502M) gross
• TORPOL (leading a consortium with MIRBUD) – PLN 2.27bn (£440M) net / PLN 2.80bn (£543M) gross

Poland minister of infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak said: “The safety of people living in the immediate vicinity of the ongoing investment is a priority. All residents of Łódź must be assured that the project is being conducted responsibly, adhering to the highest technical standards. I am pleased that we are consistently marking important steps in the CPK programme.”

Deputy minister of infrastructure and CPK government commissioner Maciej Lasek added: “This is an exceptionally ambitious undertaking, as the Łódź tunnel will have the largest diameter of any underground structure constructed to date using the TBM method in Poland. It will also become the longest tunnel of its kind built as a single section.”

CPK president Filip Czernicki said: “High-Speed Rail presents a significant developmental opportunity for Poland, and the tunnel itself is a major and essential project for the residents of Łódź. Any initial inconveniences related to construction will pay off in the coming years. The city will gain many rapid connections with the country’s largest cities, without impacting residents’ quality of life, as trains will operate tens of metres underground.”

Earlier this year, the final designs for the £25bn CPK airport and transport hub were revealed.

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