Progress made in Rail Baltica initiative: approved route plan for Pärnumaa region section
Huzzah! Estonia presses forward with Rail Baltica project
Providing a refreshing update, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in Estonia has taken a leap forward in the development of the Rail Baltica project. Erkki Keldo, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, inked a decree sanctioning the route layout for the Pärnumaa section of Rail Baltica, greenlighting construction in a region that had witnessed little progress since a Supreme Court ruling quashed the prior plan in 2020.
In a jubilant tone, Minister Keldo stated, "Rail Baltica is a game-changer for Estonia and the whole Baltic region. It'll create an eco-friendly transport connection with the European railway network, lessen road traffic, fuel economic growth, and establish a vital backbone for NATO’s eastern military moment. And, lets not forget, it'll be a prime attraction for sightseers, too!"
With construction preparations reaching boiling point, alliances contracts are rapidly being ironed out with international consortia. Anvar Salomets, the CEO of Rail Baltic Estonia, strikes an optimistic note, forecasting that construction agreements for nearly the entire Estonian mainline will be signed by May. His ambition? Kickstart high-speed rail service between Tallinn and Warsaw by 2030.
Marko Kivila, the CEO of RB Rail AS, echoes Salomets' enthusiasm, highlighting the effect of Estonia's forward momentum on the Rail Baltica corridor as a whole. "With each national accomplishment, the Rail Baltica corridor edges closer to full-scale implementation. The Pärnumaa route approval speaks volumes, solidifying the project’s move from planning to action," Kivila declares.
The county plan brings forth a 350-meter-wide railway corridor. Within this sprawl, an area 66 meters wide will be sectioned off over a distance of 35 meters, encompassing vital infrastructure such as tracks, power lines, drainage systems, and service roads. The locals will savor new mobility options with planned stops in Surju and Urissaare. A rigorous road network is also in the pipeline to preserve access to residential zones, farmland, and forests during construction and operation.
Environmental concerns take center stage during the planning phase. With a keen eye on ecology, ecological bridges (ecoducts) will be erected to preserve wildlife movement, particularly in sensitive areas. Noise mitigation areas will be identified during the design phase to ensure both residents and nature are shielded from the dangers of noise pollution. Rigorous measures will also be implemented to offset potential environmental impacts on areas like Luitemaa and its capercaillie population.
Financed in part by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Rail Baltica is a beacon of the EU's sustainable and integrated transport vision that spans member states.
Rail Baltica: A Perilous Expedition into Europe's Future
Rail Baltica promises to construct a modern, sustainable, and wide-reaching rail link that joins the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with the European rail network. Beyond borders, it will stretch into the trans-European transport corridor. With a standard gauge of 1435 mm, Rail Baltica will be a double-track railway, decked out in ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), and compliant with European standards. The project aims for a design speed of 249 km/h, making travel between the Baltic States and major European cities a breeze.
As the world's longest rail project, Rail Baltica will serve multiple purposes: promoting vibrant passenger, freight, and military mobility; empowering accessibility; facilitating business, tourism, and cultural exchange; and further positioning the Baltic region as a vital hub for trade and regional cooperation.
RB Rail AS: The Marshalls of a Modern, United Baltic
Established by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, RB Rail AS steers the Rail Baltica Global Project, heralding a new era of infrastructure development in the Baltic region. Discover more about Rail Baltica and its global ambitions at www.railbaltica.org
- The Rail Baltica project, a game-changer for Estonia and the entire Baltic region, is moving towards action as the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has confirmed the route layout for the Paernumaa section.
- Construction agreements for the majority of the Estonian mainline are expected to be signed by May, with the aim of kickstarting high-speed rail service between Tallinn and Warsaw by 2030.
- Environmental concerns are at the forefront of the Rail Baltica project as ecological bridges will be built to preserve wildlife movement, noise mitigation areas will be identified, and rigorous measures will be taken to offset potential environmental impacts.
- Financed in part by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Rail Baltica is a realization of the EU's sustainable and integrated transport vision, connecting member states and trans-European transport corridors.
- As the world's longest rail project, Rail Baltica will serve multiple purposes, including promoting mobility, business, tourism, cultural exchange, and positioning the Baltic region as a vital hub for trade and regional cooperation.
