On December 31, 2024, the Council of Ministers implemented the previously announced modifications to the multiannual program for the Central Communication Port (CPK), finalizing the schedule for the key stages of the investment. According to the new plan, the first phase of the airport and a segment of the High-Speed Rail (HSR) network are set to be completed by the end of 2032. The government believes this will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Poland’s transportation infrastructure.

New investment schedule for CPK by 2032
The first significant changes to the schedule for the Central Communication Port were introduced through a resolution by the Council of Ministers on the last day of 2024. The updated plan stipulates that by the end of 2032, both the first phase of CPK airport and a portion of the High-Speed Rail network, including the segment between Warsaw, CPK, and Łódź, will be operational. The revised timeline addresses increased project demands and delays in the schedule over recent months.
The government emphasizes that continuing and accelerating preparatory work is crucial to maintaining the project’s profitability. Priority will be given in the coming years to rail, road, and projects directly related to the airport’s launch. These efforts will include constructing new HSR segments, expanding the A2 highway between Warsaw and Łódź, and building infrastructure necessary for the passenger terminal’s operation.
The “Poland in 100 Minutes” plan aims to ensure that, once complete, the new HSR lines will allow train travel from Warsaw to Wrocław and Poznań in approximately 100 minutes. According to the current concept, initial major construction on these segments is scheduled before 2032, although completing the entire network will require close coordination with other CPK program elements.
Under the government’s adopted strategy, opening CPK airport will coincide with transferring commercial traffic from Warsaw’s Chopin Airport. This step is expected to ensure the new hub quickly reaches satisfactory capacity, positioning it among the world’s leading airports.
Costs and funding sources for the CPK project
The revised schedule also updated projected costs for the entire CPK project. Investments through 2032 are estimated at PLN 131.7 billion. The largest allocation – PLN 76.8 billion – will be for rail investments, as expanding the HSR network is a key component of CPK’s integrated vision. Significant funds are also allocated to airport infrastructure, amounting to PLN 42.7 billion.
Additional funding will be directed to complementary projects (PLN 2.5 billion) and road investments (PLN 2.5 billion). Another PLN 1.7 billion is planned for HSR rolling stock procurement, and PLN 0.8 billion will go towards developing “Airport City” and “Cargo City” to provide additional revenue sources and integrated services for passengers and businesses. An additional PLN 0.3 billion is allocated for a socio-economic program to support local initiatives tied to the port’s construction and new rail lines.
The financing plan for CPK relies on public and EU funds, as well as various external market instruments such as bank loans, bond issuance, and institutional investor involvement. The government has also reserved PLN 4.3 billion as an investment contingency fund to manage unforeseen expenses or delays efficiently.
Proper financial structuring and alignment with construction milestones will be critical for CPK’s profitability. Given the investment’s scale, any cost increases or significant schedule extensions could result in considerable losses, both in time and economic terms. Therefore, regular updates and close cooperation between public institutions and external partners will be essential.
Controversy over changes to rail investments
The government’s new resolution has drawn criticism from some experts and local government representatives. Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz noted that the updated program increased funding for the HSR “Y-shaped” line by PLN 15 billion while reducing subregional rail investments by PLN 9 billion. These shifts mean some local rail connections will be delayed, affecting transport accessibility in certain regions.
One of the most affected areas is the Kalisz-Ostrów agglomeration, home to approximately 400,000 residents. The new HSR concept bypasses this region entirely, which critics claim will add PLN 3 billion in additional construction costs while limiting access to high-speed rail for much of Greater Poland. This decision is seen as a setback for local governments that have long advocated for Kalisz’s inclusion in the “Poland in 100 Minutes” project.
Further controversies involve postponing the construction of certain key segments, such as the Płock–Warsaw–Grudziądz–Gdańsk line, which has been deferred until after 2032. Critics argue that such decisions will further marginalize northern and central Poland’s development, with a focus on critical HSR segments potentially undermining balanced infrastructure growth nationwide.
The government defends the need for prioritization, citing limited financial resources and the goal of launching the main HSR corridor as quickly as possible to improve transport access and showcase CPK. Nonetheless, dissatisfaction among local authorities remains, with concerns about marginalization and delays in important rail projects.
Development prospects and conclusions
Government documents emphasize the synergy created by integrating air, rail, and road transport in a central location in Poland. The vision aims to strengthen not only international connections but also regional cities and smaller hubs. The ultimate success of this plan will depend on coherent implementation and securing adequate financial resources.
The launch of CPK airport, along with transferring commercial traffic from Chopin Airport, is expected to secure the project’s economic viability. Key airlines, including the national carrier, will focus on the new hub, which is designed to have significant growth potential in both passenger and cargo logistics. The government anticipates that sufficient passenger and cargo traffic will generate stable revenue to repay financial commitments.
Monitoring costs and addressing formal challenges and community expectations will remain critical. Delays in subregional investments could lead to political and economic conflicts if the government and CPK fail to provide realistic compensation plans. On the other hand, focusing on key HSR segments and primary infrastructure elements may accelerate the core services’ launch and yield tangible benefits in increased passenger traffic and logistics sector development.
Transparency and consistency in adhering to the adopted schedule will be vital for the investment’s success in the coming years. CPK is a project with immense potential to bring Poland significant benefits in transport and economic growth. Achieving these goals will require balancing ambition with financial capabilities, timely construction completion, and considering the broad public interest.
Source: https://ekspert-bankowy.pl/kontrowersyjne-zmiany-w-harmonogramie-budowy-cpk/