Poland adopts changes to CPK transportation hub project; new cost by 2032 around PLN 131.7 bln
The new timetable envisages that the first phase of central transportation hub CPK airport and high-speed rail between Warsaw, the CPK and Lodz will be operational by the end of 2032, it was stated in a statement following a cabinet meeting at which changes to CPK were adopted. The updated total cost of the CPK project until 2032 was estimated at PLN 131.7 billion (EUR 30.8 bln).
"The Council of Ministers adopted a resolution amending the resolution on the establishment of a multiannual programme - 'Investment programme for the central transportation hub CPK Stage II, 2024-2030', submitted by the Government Plenipotentiary for the central transportation hub," was written in the statement.
"The Government updated the financial and time framework, as well as the conditions for the implementation of the central transportation hub plans for 2024-2032," it was added.
It added that the resolution includes activities involving the continuation of preparatory and design work, as well as the commencement and completion of essential construction works for the construction of the CPK. It also includes key rail and road investments and projects directly related to the launch of the airport.
"The new schedule envisages that by the end of 2032, the first stage of the CPK airport and high speed rail (HSR) between Warsaw, the CPK and Lodz will be operational," it was written.
"Construction work will also be advanced on sections of the HSR to Wroclaw and Poznan (as part of the +Poland in 100 minutes+ programme, it will ultimately take around 100 minutes to reach these cities from Warsaw)," the statement added.
It was recalled that the aim of the CPK programme is to build and operate a viable airport that will earn a place among the world's top ten airports.
It is also about rebuilding the national railway transport system as an alternative to road transport, while ensuring the sustainable integration of the Warsaw and Lodz agglomerations.
Prior to the cabinet meeting, Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalecz told PAP Biznes that the draft amendments to the CPK envisage an increase in funding for rail links between metropolises and a decrease in funding for sub-regional railways, but it is the inclusion of medium-sized cities that will guarantee equal development across Poland.
She pointed out that the proposed changes increased the project's funding from PLN 71 billion (EUR 16.6 bln) to PLN 77 billion (EUR 18 bln); with a proposed increase of PLN 15 billion (EUR 3.5 bln) in funding for the so-called Y line, or high-speed rail between major metropolises, and a reduction of almost PLN 9 billion (EUR 2.1 bln) in funding for sub-regional rail.
A note from the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM) following the government's meeting stressed that the new airport will be an integral part of the CPK - a hub combining air, rail and road transport, located on the territory of three municipalities: Baranow, Wiskitki and Teresin, at a distance of approximately 37 km from the centre of Warsaw.
A passenger terminal is to be built, which will initially enable a capacity of at least 34 million passengers per year and further rapid expansion, according to traffic forecasts.
The investment also includes a transfer node for public transport and a railway station integrated with the airport, which will ensure the possibility of serving long-distance and agglomeration trains as well as transfer traffic.
As part of the investment, the A2 motorway between Warsaw and Lodz will be widened to 3 lanes.
The opening of the CPK airport will be tantamount to the transfer of commercial traffic from Warsaw Chopin Airport, which is expected to ensure the profitability of the CPK.
As part of the CPK's rail investment, it is envisaged that the new lines will be used by long-distance high-speed passenger trains connecting the most important agglomerations, as well as by high-speed trains serving regional centres.
"Preparatory activities and construction works will be carried out on the Y line Warsaw - CPK - Lodz - Wroclaw/Poznan. The adaptation of selected sections to carry freight traffic is also being analysed. The result will be a reduction in heavy traffic," it was emphasised.
The investment in CPK will be carried out using funds from the State Treasury, EU money, as well as external funds (e.g. bank debt, bonds issued by the CPK company, etc.).
The updated total cost of the CPK programme until 2032 was estimated at PLN 131.7 billion (EUR 30.8 bln).
The proponent of the changes to the CPK project was the government's plenipotentiary for the central transportation hub, Maciej Lasek.
jz/ han/