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Estonia has taken a significant step forward in the development of Rail Baltica, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications confirming approval of the route plan for the Pärnumaa section. Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, has signed the decree, allowing construction to commence in an area where progress had been stalled since the Supreme Court partially annulled the previous plan in 2020. “Rail Baltica is a strategically important infrastructure project for Estonia and the entire Baltic region. It will create a modern and environmentally friendly transport connection with the European railway network, reduce road traffic congestion, and foster economic development while also serving as a backbone for military mobility on NATO’s eastern flank,” said Minister Keldo. Preparations for construction are well underway, with alliance contracts being finalised with international consortia. Anvar Salomets, CEO of Rail Baltic Estonia, stated that construction contracts covering nearly the entire Estonian mainline are expected to be signed by May. The project aims to establish high-speed rail services between Tallinn and Warsaw by 2030. Marko Kivila, CEO of RB Rail AS, the joint venture overseeing Rail Baltica’s global coordination, emphasised the broader impact of Estonia’s progress. “Each national milestone is a step forward for the entire Rail Baltica corridor. The approval of the Pärnumaa route plan sends a strong signal that the project is moving from planning into full-scale implementation. As a unified European infrastructure initiative, Rail Baltica strengthens the security of the entire Baltic region within the EU transport network.” The approved county plan outlines a 350-metre-wide railway corridor, within which a 66-metre-wide railway area will be fenced off over a 35-metre span. This space will accommodate essential infrastructure, including tracks, power lines, drainage systems, and service roads. Planned stops in Surju and Urissaare will offer improved mobility for local residents, while a supporting road network will maintain access to homes, agricultural land, and forests throughout the construction and operational phases. Environmental considerations remain a priority in the project’s planning. Measures such as ecological bridges and protective zones aim to maintain habitat connectivity and wildlife movement, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. Noise mitigation strategies will be developed during the design phase to minimise disruptions to both residents and natural surroundings. Furthermore, mitigation and compensation initiatives will address potential environmental impacts, including those affecting the Luitemaa bird area and its capercaillie population. Rail Baltica is co-financed by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), reinforcing its strategic significance in the EU’s commitment to sustainable and integrated transport infrastructure across member states. |
