New projects set to drive forward construction on Rail Baltica鈥檚 main line. Photo: Rail Baltic Estonia

Anvar Salomets, CEO of Rail Baltic Estonia, the organisation charged with delivering the network, said he believed the new projects would attract bids from major international contractors and rail companies.

The tender is expected to result in two primary contracts:

• The first is valued at approximately 鈧�394 million (US$435 billion) and covers the construction of the railway superstructure from 脺lemiste to P盲rnu, as well as the substructure between Tootsi and P盲rnu.
• The second is valued at approximately 鈧�332 million (US$367 million) and includes the design and construction of the P盲rnu鈥揑kla section, which will complete the main line.

Construction of the main line will take place in several stages, with the development phase set to run from the third quarter of 2025 to the second quarter of 2026. This will be followed by the construction phase, slated to begin in 2026, and run through to the end of 2030.

Once complete, the rail network will connect the Baltic states, Finland, Central Europe and beyond, with the stated aim of improving transportation efficiency, accessibility and economic competitiveness.

Rail Baltica鈥檚 EU significance

As part of the European Union鈥檚 Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the project is expected to offer significant opportunities for global construction companies and rail industry firms to establish themselves in Estonia.

Salomets said, 鈥淲e anticipate international construction firms will participate, and we aim to have all sections of the main line either contracted or under construction by this time next year.

鈥淚 can assure you,鈥� he added, 鈥渢hat all stakeholders are fully committed to completing the project by 2030.鈥�

Vladimir Svet, Estonia鈥檚 minister of infrastructure, said, 鈥淲hile we often discuss Rail Baltica in terms of passenger and freight transport, its role as a strategic backbone for military mobility on NATO鈥檚 Eastern flank has become increasingly significant given on-going Russia鈥檚 aggressive war in Ukraine.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement of extensive construction procurement for Rail Baltica鈥檚 mainline is a testament to our commitment to this pivotal project that brings Europe closer together.鈥�