Rail Baltica route discussion starts

TALLINN - Public discussion of the planned route and of environmental effects of the Rail Baltica railway line that will connect Estonia, in the future, with Western Europe started this week with events in Maardu and Tallinn. The discussion will last for the next three weeks in different municipalities where the routes pass through, reports Public Broadcasting.

In August, the Estonian team of the Rail Baltica project presented four possible route options. The route options start from Maardu near Tallinn, pass through Harjumaa, Raplamaa and Parnumaa counties, the city of Parnu and cross the border with Latvia near Ikla. There will be a cargo station in Maardu and passenger terminal in Ulemiste in Tallinn. The cargo and passenger trains use the same rails between Kohila and Rapla.

The exact location of the route should be clear by 2015.

Due to possible changes, a 350 meter wide corridor is to be chosen in counties, while the actual railway together with protective zone needs a 66 meter wide corridor.