The Warsaw–Łódź high-speed Railway project continues to advance after securing €64 million in European Union funding under the Connecting Europe Facility, strengthening Poland’s flagship high-speed rail ambitions under the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) program. Additionally, the European Commission approved the funding to support design, environmental assessments, and permitting works for the 140-kilometre Warsaw–Łódź corridor. Moreover, the project forms the backbone of Poland’s planned “Y” shaped high-speed rail network connecting Warsaw, Łódź, Poznań, and Wrocław. Furthermore, CPK integrates the line with the future airport hub to create a unified national transport system.

Warsaw–Łódź High-Speed Railway Project advances through EU-funded design and preparation phase

Additionally, the EU funding enabled CPK to complete advanced engineering design and technical documentation for the high-speed corridor. Moreover, the project team carried out environmental studies and secured key permitting applications across the planned alignment. Furthermore, this work aligned the investment with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), ensuring compatibility with broader EU rail standards.

Meanwhile, engineering consultancies supported CPK during the preparatory phase rather than construction delivery. Additionally, firms such as Metroprojekt, Egis, BBF, and other advisory teams contributed to alignment design, feasibility studies, and infrastructure planning. Consequently, the project established a fully developed technical foundation for the next procurement stage. However, the EU funding strictly excluded construction activities and focused on pre-investment readiness.

Warsaw–Łódź High-Speed Railway Project transitions into construction procurement phase in 2026

Moreover, the Warsaw–Łódź High-Speed Railway Project has now moved beyond planning into active procurement for its first construction package. Additionally, CPK launched a competitive dialogue procedure for the 13-kilometre Kotowice–airport section of railway line no. 85. Furthermore, seventeen companies grouped into six consortia submitted applications for the contract, marking the first high-speed rail construction package in Poland.

Meanwhile, CPK evaluates the applications based on experience in completed infrastructure projects, including domestic rail works. Additionally, the authority considers Polish language proficiency of key personnel as part of qualification requirements. Consequently, final contract awards will depend on price competitiveness and warranty terms.

Furthermore, the dialogue process allows CPK and bidders to refine technical solutions before final bids. Therefore, the project team improves constructability, cost efficiency, and delivery certainty before awarding contracts.

Warsaw–Łódź High-Speed Railway Project strengthens Poland’s “Y” high-speed rail network

Additionally, the Warsaw–Łódź  Railway Project forms the central spine of Poland’s planned “Y” high-speed rail network. Moreover, the line connects Warsaw, Łódź, Poznań, and Wrocław through a unified high-speed system. Furthermore, engineers design the corridor for speeds of up to 350 km/h using a 25 kV AC electrification standard.

Consequently, the project will significantly reduce travel times between Poland’s major economic centres once operational. In addition, CPK plans phased delivery, with the Warsaw–Łódź section scheduled to open in 2032 and full network expansion expected by 2035. However, the project team continues to prepare additional procurement packages covering signaling systems, telecommunications, and traction power infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Lhyfe’s Offshore Hydrogen Production Platform Begins Operations at French Test Site

Warsaw-Łódź High-Speed Railway Project

Marcin Horała, Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, emphasises the strategic importance of the HSR line within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T): “The CPK airport, together with the new HSR line between Warsaw and Łódź, is an important part of the TEN-T, the EU’s strategic transport infrastructure. It is excellent news that the European Commission has consistently kept it on the list of its priorities for co-funding from Community funds.”

According to CPK, introducing the HSR will reduce travel time between Warsaw and Łódź by more than half, with commuters reaching the CPK airport from Warsaw in just 15 minutes.

The HSR line between Warsaw and Łódź is an extension of the North Sea-Baltic corridor, which is part of the TEN-T network and aims to be completed by 2030. This grant further strengthens the relationship between CPK and the CEF, as Poland has previously received funding of €110m from CEF for the construction project of CPK’s long-distance HSR tunnel in Łódź.

Additionally, Warsaw-Łódź High-Speed Railway Project aligns with the European Commission’s sustainable and smart mobility strategy, which supports the development of a fully operational, multimodal Trans-European Transport Network by 2050.

Project Fact Sheet

Project Name: Warsaw–Łódź Railway Project (High-Speed Rail Corridor)

Country: Poland

Developer: Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK)

Funding Source: European Commission – Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

EU Funding Value: ~€64 million

Total Route Length: ~140 km (Warsaw–Łódź corridor)

Project Type: High-speed rail infrastructure development

Design Speed: Up to 350 km/h

Electrification System: 25 kV AC

Scope of EU Funding: Engineering design, environmental studies, permitting, technical preparation

Design & Engineering Contractors (EU phase):

• Metroprojekt
• Egis Rail
• BBF

Procurement Stage (2026): Competitive dialogue for first 13 km construction package (Kotowice–airport section)

Rail Line Reference: Line No. 85

Strategic Network: Part of Warsaw–Łódź–Poznań–Wrocław “Y” high-speed rail corridor

Expected Opening: 2032 (Warsaw–Łódź section), full network by 2035

Project Team

Project Owner: Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), Poland

Program Framework: Port Polska Investment Programme

Funding Authority: European Commission – Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

Government Oversight: Polish Ministry of Infrastructure

Project Implementation Authority: CPK Rail Investments Division

Government Representative: Maciej Lasek (Government Plenipotentiary for CPK)

CPK Management Board: Rail and Infrastructure Development Division

Engineering & Design Consultants (EU-funded phase):

• Metroprojekt
• Egis Rail
• BBF

Environmental & Permitting Authorities: Mazovian and Łódź regional planning and environmental agencies

Technical Standards Bodies: EU TEN-T coordination bodies and Polish rail safety regulators

Future Construction Contractors: To be appointed under separate competitive dialogue procurement (not EU-funded phase)

Future Systems Contractors: Signaling (SRK), telecommunications, and traction power providers (to be tendered separately)

Future Operators (Planned): National rail operators integrating high-speed services upon completion