{"id":15095,"date":"2024-02-26T21:38:50","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T11:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=50307"},"modified":"2024-02-26T21:38:50","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T11:38:50","slug":"rail-baltica-estonia-signs-new-contracts-optimistic-about-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=15095","title":{"rendered":"Rail Baltica Estonia signs new contracts, optimistic about progress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rail Baltica Estonia has signed new construction contracts for a part of the Rail Baltica mainline in the northernmost Baltic country. According to the project\u2019s organisation, the newly signed contracts covering 16 kilometres of its Estonian section are a \u2018significant milestone\u2019. The organisation also expresses optimistism about the construction progress of the rail line.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The total value of the two contracts amounts to 107 million euros and covers a distance of 16 kilometres just south of the capital city Tallinn. According to Anvar Salomets, CEO of Rail Baltica Estonia, the awarding of these contracts represents a \u2018significant milestone, showcasing the increasing maturity of our railway development\u2019. Rail Baltica is also optimistic about the large number of interested parties in tenders, leading to fierce competition.<\/p>\n

Salomets also points out that Rail Baltica may start the construction of approximately 50 kilometres of the mainline in Estonia in this year already, as well as finalise the contracts for the mainline. He credited the local Estonian municipalities with constructive cooperation, calling it \u2018critically important\u2019 for Rail Baltica.<\/p>\n

The contractually awarded 16-kilometre rail section includes some major infrastructure works. There are plans for the construction of viaducts, ecopassages, a pedestrian tunnel, drainage systems and a 224 metre rail bridge.<\/p>\n

Southern struggles<\/h2>\n

While Rail Baltica Estonia suggests that it is making swift progress, its southern neighbour Latvia has been struggling with the implementation of the project. The rail line\u2019s projected costs rose significantly, from 5,8 billion euros to 8 billion. Moreover, design, land expropriation and construction all face delays. Latvia even suspended a member of government for \u2018work violations\u2019 related to the project.<\/p>\n

To make matters worse, the line may initially bypass the Latvian capital city Riga. Inflation, limited available building materials, a labour shortage and the location of the railway station in the middle of the city complicate the desired connection of Riga to the Rail Baltica mainline. The EU has stated that the line will have to be completed \u2018with or without Riga<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Latvia achieved some success by commencing the construction of a rail bridge across the Daugava river in Riga for the Rail Baltica project. The 1,15 kilometre bridge is necessary to connect the central railway station to the airport and alleviate the passenger and freight capacity of the already existing bridge across the Daugava. Over 80 per cent of the bridge is financed by the EU\u2019s Connecting Europe Facility.<\/p>\n

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