Half of Rail Baltica mainline in Estonia now covered by construction contracts

The construction of Rail Baltica in Estonia has reached a significant milestone – construction contracts now cover half of the mainline, extending from Ülemiste Station to Tootsi in Pärnumaa.

The contract signed today in Järvakandi, Raplamaa, with AS TREV-2 Grupp adds another 14 kilometers to the project, covering the Kärpla-Selja section in Raplamaa and marking a new phase in Rail Baltica’s development in Estonia. This latest agreement reinforces that the international high-speed railway is no longer just a future vision but an actively progressing construction project, with work underway on multiple sections simultaneously.

“Rail Baltica is not just a new transport corridor but an economic and geopolitical investment connecting Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with the rest of Europe,” said Rail Baltic Estonia CEO Anvar Salomets. “This is a strategic project that opens new markets for Estonian businesses and strengthens regional security.”

TREV-2 Grupp will undertake both design and construction work for various infrastructure elements along this section. The segment includes the Ahekõnnu and Nõlva viaducts, ensuring local traffic connections to the new railway corridor, as well as the Kärpla ecoduct and Kootja green bridge, which will support safe wildlife movement. Additionally, the contract covers the construction of railway bridges over the Velise and Nurtu rivers and the Lihuveski animal tunnel, minimizing the railway’s environmental impact. These structures will be built as part of the mainline’s design and construction works, ensuring Rail Baltica meets both technical and environmental standards.

“TREV-2 Grupp has extensive experience and a strong working relationship with the client in building various Rail Baltica track sections and site-specific infrastructure,” said TREV-2 Grupp CEO Sven Pertens. “Given the scale of this project, Rail Baltica’s construction is crucial for Estonia’s economy and infrastructure sector, providing builders with long-term planning opportunities in today’s economic environment.”

The design and construction contract for the Kärpla-Selja section is valued at €67.6 million (excluding VAT). The works are scheduled to continue until the end of 2028, with at least eight kilometers of the mainline embankment expected to be completed by 2027.

The construction contract is financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Estonian state budget.

About Rail Baltica 

Rail Baltica is one of Europe's largest high-speed infrastructure projects, aiming to establish a modern and sustainable rail link that connects the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with the European rail network. It is also a part of the trans-European transport corridor.

Rail Baltica will be a fully electrified, double-track railway with a standard gauge of 1435 mm and will be equipped with ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and designed to meet European standards. With a design speed of 249 km/h, Rail Baltica will significantly reduce travel times between the Baltic States and major European cities. It will serve as a modern infrastructure for passenger, freight, and military mobility, promoting accessibility and facilitating business, tourism, and cultural exchange. Additionally, the project will enhance the Baltic region's position as a vital transit hub, fostering stronger trade connections and promoting regional cooperation.

About RB Rail AS 

RB Rail AS is a multinational joint venture of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania established to lead and coordinate the implementation of the Rail Baltica Global Project, the first infrastructure development project of this scale in the Baltic region. More about Rail Baltica global project: www.railbaltica.org