Geodetic surveys start in Estonian-Latvian border corridor

TALLINN - The Estonian Land Board and the Latvian Geospatial Information Agency began geodetic surveys in the two states' border area this week.

The surveys will be conducted in 15-40 kilometer-wide areas on both sides of the border using the same method to harmonize the two states' geodetic reference systems. The field works on the Estonian-Latvian border are to be completed in September. 

Head of the department of geodesy at the Land Board and head of the project in Estonia Karin Kollo said that the data is first and foremost necessary for the construction of cross-border structures, such as roads, viaducts and railways.

"At present, the geodetic systems of Estonia and Latvia are incompatible, which complicates the implementation of cross-border projects," she said.

The data to be obtained as a result of the surveys will be brought together under a shared application harmonizing the two states' coordinate and height systems.

"The substantial surveys to be carried out this year in the 340-kilometer border corridor between Estonia and Latvia will produce results that can be used for decades," Kollo noted.

While the national geodetic systems used in Estonia and Latvia are based on European reference systems, the states are using slightly different primary data and measurements in their geodetic systems, which have produced certain discrepancies in height and coordinate values in the border area.