PORR Wins $468M Contract for Poland’s Longest Rail Tunnel

PORR has signed a $468 million contract with CPK to construct Poland’s longest high-speed rail tunnel in Łódź, a key link in the strategic “Y” railway corridor connecting Warsaw, Łódź, and the new CPK Airport. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The 4.6km tunnel will stretch from the Retkinia launch shaft to the Fabryczna exit shaft. It will enable trains to run in both directions at speeds up to 160 km/h and reduce travel times significantly.

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PORR Begins Work on Strategic High-Speed Tunnel

PORR will use a 3,200-ton tunnel boring machine (TBM) with a 14-meter cutterhead. The construction includes five supply shafts, internal linings for launch and exit shafts, and utility infrastructure like water, electricity, and fire systems.

The tunnel plays a central role in the “Y” rail line, which will link Warsaw and the CPK Airport with Łódź by 2032. By 2035, it will extend connections to Wrocław and Poznań.

To minimize disruption in the urban zone, PORR will apply geotechnical reinforcements and structural protections. A monitoring system will track surrounding building conditions and ground stability during the tunnel’s construction.

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The project will implement Slab Track Austria technology, replacing traditional ballast with prefabricated concrete slabs. This system boosts stability and cuts noise and vibration for trains reaching up to 400 km/h.

“Our engineers are equipped to deliver top-tier tunneling projects even in dense urban and complex geological settings,” said PORR CEO Piotr Kledzik.

CPK CEO Dr. Filip Czernicki highlighted the tunnel’s dual-purpose design. It supports both civilian and military use and follows safety regulations from the Polish government and the EU.

Earlier this year, CPK launched a rolling stock pool plan to finance and lease high-speed trains. This initiative ensures operators have access to modern trains through long-term agreements as the network expands.

Source, photo: www.railway-technology.com

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