Major milestone for upcoming metro line: M5 construction contracts put out to tender
Metroselskabet has now published extensive tenders for the civil works and transport system for the first phase of the upcoming M5 metro line. M5 is a central part of Copenhagen’s further development and will both improve public transport to existing urban areas and support the new districts now taking shape.
The tender covers, among other things, the construction of two bored tunnels, six stations, a control and maintenance center, as well as trains, and has a total value of approx. EUR 800m for civil works and approx. EUR 550m for transport system.
The tenders have been prepared based on an extensive market dialogue, during which Metroselskabet has been in close contact with the market over the past three years. This dialogue has contributed to knowledge-sharing, the adjustment of requirements and the choice of contract models, all aimed at making M5 easier and more attractive to deliver.
With the publication of these tenders, we are taking an important step forward in the development of M5. The new line will tie the city together even more closely and create stronger links between both existing neighbourhoods and new urban development areas. Thank you to the many parties who have contributed valuable input over the past three years
Facts about the tender procedures
- These are EU tenders conducted with a pre-qualification phase.
- The EU tenders have been published via TED (Tenders Electronic Daily), the EU’s common portal for procurement notices:
- The tender material is available via the procurement platform Byggeprojekt.dk.
- The pre-qualification phase will be published on 29 June, and the tender period will run from 16 September 2026 to 27 December 2026.
- The deadline for applying for pre-qualification is 25 August 2026.
- For the transport systems, the procurement is being carried out as a Design & Build contract under the competitive dialogue procedure.
- For civil works, the procurement will also carried out as a Design & Build contract under the negotiated procedure.
- As part of the new approach to risk-sharing, a geotechnical baseline is being introduced, under which the client assumes part of the risk related to ground conditions.
- The above-mentioned pain/gain mechanism means that the contractor and Metroselskabet share any additional costs (pain) and savings (gain) according to an agreed allocation key.
Focus on risk and CO2 reduction
Based on the market dialogue concerning the civil works, Metroselskabet has incorporated a focus on risk into the tender material — for both the contractor and Metroselskabet — i.e. through a target price model for mechanical and electrical installations and architectural works.
Metroselskabet has also placed a strong focus on CO2 emissions in relation to civil works, with the construction contract setting a binding requirement for CO2 emissions reduction. There is also a focus on CO2 emissions in the transport systems contract, i.e. through the requirements for the new control and maintenance center.
For the transport systems contract, Metroselskabet is likewise working to open the market and ensure strong competition. This is supported by the competitive dialogue procedure, under which the solutions proposed by tenderers will be discussed, while also giving Metroselskabet the opportunity to adjust the tender material.
“We believe these adjustments are important in a market where the number of major construction, infrastructure and railway projects in Denmark and across Europe is currently rising significantly, and where collaborative models and risk-sharing are playing an increasingly important role,” says Mikkel Kjær Jensen.
About M5
- M5 is a new standard-alone metro line with nine stations, to be constructed in two phases.
- M5 will provide efficient public transport to both existing urban areas not currently served by the metro (on Amager), as well as to new urban development areas, including Østhavnen (Kløverparken & Quintus, Refshaleøen and Lynetteholm).
- At the same time, M5 will increase capacity across the metro network as a whole and help ensure that the Metro can continue to accommodate rising passenger numbers in future — particularly on the section across the harbour, where rush-hour demand is already high.
- The first phase of M5, which is scheduled to open in 2036, will consist of five underground stations and one elevated station.
- In addition to the six stations, the first phase of M5 includes, among other things:
- Two bored tunnels of approximately 7 km
- 2 underground crossovers
- 5 cross passages
- 1 ramp
- 1 terminal shaft
- Approx. 2 km of viaduct
- 1 crossover on viaduct
- 1 elevated junction
- Short embankment sections
- Control and maintenance centre
- 14 metro trains
- Signalling system, platform screen doors, traction power supply, passenger information system, SCADA system, radio system, and various other systems
- At Copenhagen Central Station, passengers on M5 will have easy interchange with metro lines M3 and M4, as well as with long-distance, regional and S-trains.
- At DR Byen, passengers will be able to interchange between M1 and M5, while at Lergravsparken they will be able to interchange between M2 and M5.
If you are a potential bidder for one of the upcoming M5 contracts and have procurement-related questions, please contact Metroselskabet via the procurement portal Byggeprojekt.dk.