Łódź high-speed tunnel signalling awarded to Alstom

Łódź high-speed tunnel signalling will be delivered by Alstom under a contract from Porr. Porr was selected to build the tunnel. The work covers the installation of railway traffic control systems for the long-distance tunnel, according to Alstom.

Łódź high-speed tunnel signalling scope

Also, the contract includes the full design and delivery of signalling solutions inside the tunnel. In addition, it covers their integration with the Łódź Widzew station area. These systems are part of Alstom’s Onvia mainline signalling portfolio.

“The design and installation of the railway traffic control system in the Łódź long-distance tunnel are of strategic importance for the safety and reliability of the entire investment. This is a unique project, both in terms of its scale and technical requirements. In delivering it, we will draw on the extensive experience of our qualified engineering team in Katowice in designing and implementing control systems, gained both in Poland and through international projects across Europe,” said Adam Juretko, Managing Director of Alstom’s Katowice branch in Poland.

Don’t miss…Queensland Rail level crossing crashes spark safety warning

Meanwhile, this is Alstom’s first signalling contract within high-speed rail infrastructure. It is linked to the development of the Port Polska investment programme, as previously covered by Railway Supply.

Alstom signalling contract and Polish market experience

Separately, Alstom’s experience in the Polish market includes the country’s first implementation of ERTMS Level 2. Also, it includes the deployment of ERTMS Level 2 on ten PKP PLK railway lines. In addition, it includes the construction of more than 30 centralised traffic control systems. For example, it includes the installation of computer-based interlocking systems at over 220 stations. Still, it includes the modernisation of more than 1,700 level crossing signalling systems.

Łódź high-speed tunnel and the CPK “Y” railway line

The Łódź high-speed tunnel is a crucial part of the CPK “Y” railway line. Still, as CPK notes, the line is being developed under the Port Polska programme. It will enable train operations at speeds of up to 350 km/h.

By 2032, the “Y” network will connect Warsaw and the new national airport with Łódź. By 2035, it will allow the launch of the fastest high-speed rail connections to Wrocław and Poznań.

The tunnel in Łódź will have a diameter of 14 metres. Its length will be 4.6 km. At the same time, it will be the longest and largest-diameter railway tunnel structure in Poland. Trains will run through the city centre at depths ranging between 25 and 35 metres.

The new Łódź tunnel forms part of the North Sea – Baltic corridor within the TEN-T trans-European transport network.

The tunnel will allow trains to operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h. It will be dedicated exclusively to long-distance services. Meanwhile, PKP PLK, Poland’s railway infrastructure manager, is constructing a separate tunnel for regional traffic.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit