Poland has taken its first steps towards building its longest railway tunnel.

       The mega project in Lodz will form part of a new high-speed connection to the major transport hub and airport - Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK).

       Five bids have been submitted for the project, which will involve the construction of a 2.9-mile-long tunnel which aims to enhance high-speed rail connectivity between the major Polish cities including Warsaw, Wroclaw and Poznan.

       The project promoter, CPK, has allocated PLN 2.8 billion (approximately ￡543 million) gross for the project, with bids ranging from ￡420 million to ￡542.5 million, according to New Civil Engineer.

       The awarded contractor is expected to complete the project within 46 months. Construction is slated to begin in late 2026, with completion expected by mid-to-late 2028.

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       According to the deputy minister of infrastructure and CPK government commissioner, Maciej Lasek, this ambitious undertaking 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,” he added.

       The tunnel construction is particularly impressive due to the fact it will traverse densely populated areas in Lodz, necessitating careful geotechnical assessments and structural safeguards from the selected contractor.

       The broader rail project, which includes the entire stretch of railway line no. 85 between Warsaw and Lodz, 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 Lodz is projected to be reduced to just 40 minutes - a route which currently takes over an hour - facilitating the “100 Minutes Poland” project aimed at enhancing the country’s rail connections.

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       “The safety of people living in the immediate vicinity of the ongoing investment is a priority,” said Poland’s minister of infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak.

       He added: “All residents of Lodz 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.”

       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 Lodz.

       “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.”