A new tender for the construction of six railway tunnels in Poland has been launched by the authorities as part of the Podłęże–Piekiełko project—which involves the modernization of 75 km of railway track in the south of the country and the construction of new lines.
The tender covers the construction of the new railway line between Kasina Wielka and Szczyrzyc, as well as the Porąbka–Stróża connection. The new route, which starts in the Podłęże area near Kraków, will connect to the modernized Line 104 and significantly improve regional rail links. The main goal is to ensure faster and more efficient transport between the capital of the Małopolska region, Nowy Sącz, and Zakopane, two of the most important destinations in southern Poland.
The estimated investment value is approximately 1.9 billion zlotys (EUR 448.5 million), and the construction period is planned to last 38 months (about three years).
Complex railway infrastructure in mountainous terrain
The tender involves the construction of 13 km of track in a challenging mountainous area. The Fornale–Szczyrzyc section and the Porąbka–Stróża connection include the design of six railway tunnels with a total length of over 3.6 km, as well as numerous viaducts and bridges. Some structures will allow trains to travel at heights of up to 35 meters above ground level.
The project will also include the construction of a new station, Kasina Wielka Północna, equipped with platforms accessible to people with reduced mobility, elevators, and underground passages adapted for easy access.
The project also includes new road infrastructure, such as viaducts and grade-separated intersections, designed to improve local traffic flow in the vicinity of the railway.
A strategic project to connect Kraków with southern Poland
This section of the Podłęże–Piekiełko project is one of the most technically complex, given the mountainous terrain and the scale of the works. Authorities emphasize that experience gained on other similar construction sites contributes to the efficient preparation of the project’s execution.
The section currently under tender is essential for the entire rail corridor that will connect Kraków to Podhale and the Sądecczyzna region. Through the Porąbka–Stróża connection, trains will be able to travel faster between Zakopane and Nowy Sącz, reducing travel time to approximately 90 minutes.
The Podłęże–Piekiełko project is currently the largest railway investment in Poland. It includes the modernization and electrification of 75 km of track on the Chabówka–Nowy Sącz route and the construction of 58 km of new track between Podłęże, Tymbark, and Mszana Dolna.
The project involves the modernization and electrification of 75 km of existing track and the construction of tunnels. Travel time will be significantly reduced, by approximately 60 minutes between Kraków and Nowy Sącz and about 90 minutes between Kraków and Zakopane.
This project will contribute significantly to the economic and social development of the entire Małopolska region and will improve rail connectivity in southern Poland.
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