Today, Rail Baltica gained momentum as Rail Baltic Estonia and INF Infra, part of the Infortar group, signed a contract initiating the construction of an 8.65-kilometer mainline segment between Kangru and Saku on the Estonian mainline. This agreement marks the entry of the entire Rail Baltica passenger mainline in Harjumaa into construction.
The contract covers the Harjumaa segment between Kangru and Saku, taking the high-speed railway through the Männiku bog and including facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, such as the Kivitee pedestrian bridge and the Saunasilla underpass. Environmental preservation is prioritized as the Männiku bog is traversed, allowing nature and the railway to coexist.
“The start of construction on the Kangru-Saku segment is an important milestone for the Rail Baltica project. With this contract, we now have 73 kilometers covered or under construction in Estonia, over one-third of the 213-kilometer Rail Baltica mainline in the country,” said Anvar Salomets, Chairman of the Board at Rail Baltic Estonia.
The contract is valued at €67.2 million, with work on this segment expected to continue until February 2028. According to the interim schedule, by the end of 2025, at least three kilometers of mainline embankment, including the Kivitee bridge and a pedestrian path, should be completed. By the end of 2026, at least six kilometers of embankment should be finished, with the entire segment slated for completion by February 2028.
“Constructing the railway through the Männiku bog is a significant challenge. To minimize environmental impact, we plan to use highly innovative embankment solutions that have not yet been applied in Estonian infrastructure construction. These planned solutions are significantly more eco-friendly than traditional embankment construction methods,” remarked Robert Sinikas, member of the management board at INF Infra.
Rail Baltic Estonia aims to establish a modern high-speed rail link by 2030, connecting Estonia with Latvia, Lithuania, and the rest of Europe. The Rail Baltica project promotes regional cooperation, enhances passenger and freight transport options, and supports an environmentally friendly, sustainable transportation system throughout the Baltics.
About INF Infra OÜ
INF Infra OÜ, part of Estonia’s largest investment group Infortar, is an engineering and construction company that has designed and built several technically complex infrastructure projects, including the new bridge in Pärnu, introducing new technological solutions to Estonia. In Pärnu, the company constructed a 140-meter-long, 1,200-ton arch bridge on the riverbank before transporting it to its final position on piers in the river. Similarly, INF Infra positioned the Tondi railway viaducts, which were pre-constructed alongside the railway and later moved into their final place within a short timeframe. Infortar operates in seven countries with 105 subsidiaries: 96 group companies, four affiliated companies, and five sub-subsidiaries of affiliates. Excluding affiliated companies, Infortar employs 6,108 people, with a turnover reaching €926 million in the first nine months of this year.
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.
2025 © The Baltic Times /Cookies Policy Privacy Policy