Rail Baltica signs another contract for the construction of the Rail Baltica mainline in Estonia

On 26 August, Rail Baltic Estonia signed a construction contract for the construction of the mainline of the railway in Harju County. The joint bid by Merko Ehitus Eesti AS and GRK Eesti AS will see them constructing the section of the Rail Baltica mainline from Saku to the Harju-Rapla County border. The contract is valued at 59.87 million euros.

“We are steadily moving towards this year’s goal of having at least 70 kilometers of the Rail Baltica mainline in Estonia under construction or with contracts. The contract signed today for the construction of a 10.5 km section will help us open a new construction front in Harju County with the help of experienced contractors, and soon the next sections in Harju County will also be under contract,” confirmed Anvar Salomets, Chairman of the Board of Rail Baltic Estonia.

“Good cooperation is an essential prerequisite for the successful completion of any construction project. Constructive and prompt communication with the client, supportive and solution-oriented cooperation with partners and contractors—these are the foundations of success. A substantial and complex task lies ahead. I believe that the next four years will proceed in a fast-paced and collaborative manner,” said Jaan Mäe, Chairman of the Board of Merko Ehitus Eesti, on behalf of the builders.

The Rail Baltica mainline construction contract signed today at the Saku municipal building is already the fifth such contract and the second in Harju County that has been finalized this year for the railway’s Estonian section. The 10.54-kilometer section runs from Saku to the Harju-Rapla County border. Construction work on the mainline has already begun in Rapla County. Although several intersections are currently under construction on this mainline section (Saku-Tõdva and Tõdva-Hageri road viaducts, the Tagadi ecoduct), and the Kirdalu-Kiisa road viaduct, Tagadi-Kurtna road viaduct, and Kiisa high-voltage lines have already been completed, the construction of intersections is not yet finished.

Along with the mainline embankment, the newly signed contract includes the construction of the following intersections on this section: the Kiisa ecoduct, the Uus-Vääna railway bridge, the Vana-Vääna railway bridge, the Soo Road and associated tunnel, and the Koosi pedestrian tunnel. Additionally, elements related to the Rail Baltica Saku stop and Kurtna station will be constructed. The construction section will also feature 1.8 km of noise barriers. The duration of the construction contract is 48 months, meaning that the mainline section must be completed by August 2028. The contractual value of the construction work is 59.87 million euros, plus VAT.

The construction contracts are financed up to 85% by the Connecting Europe Facility.

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