Rail Baltica world undertaking coordinator RB Rail AS introduced that the Rail Baltica undertaking has been awarded a further €295.5 million beneath the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport name throughout the present multi-annual funds interval.
The funding will help building and technical implementation actions in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, together with improvement of the core railway line, energy provide system design, and cross-border undertaking coordination. Of the whole quantity, roughly €47.1 million is allotted to Estonia, €153.5 million to Latvia, and €94.9 million to Lithuania. The grant quantities per member state embrace the share allotted to the coordinator, RB Rail AS.
Magda Kopczyńska, Director-Basic for Mobility and Transport, European Fee: “With over 295 million euros allotted to Rail Baltica and a comparable sum invested in works on the adjoining E75 railway line in Poland, the European Fee reaffirms its ongoing dedication to integrating the Baltic states into the broader European railway community. Strengthening cross-border connectivity between the Baltic states, Poland, and different EU Member States will improve the effectivity and security of rail transport, whereas boosting financial competitiveness throughout the continent.”
“This funding comes at a crucial second for the Rail Baltica undertaking,” stated Marko Kivila, appearing CEO and Chairman of the Administration Board of RB Rail AS. “It permits us to proceed building with out delays, particularly in these sections the place works are already underway in all three Baltic nations. We thank all Member States for his or her help within the vote. Given the accessible funding quantity, we utilized for these actions which might be at the moment greatest ready for implementation.”
The awarded €295.5 million represents the utmost accessible funding for this name in accordance with the CEF Regulation. The actions submitted for the subsequent section of EU funding embrace building and associated works in all three Baltic states. The European Fee authorized funding throughout the accessible budgetary limits. Throughout July, discussions will start to align on the Grant Settlement scope, specializing in the weather that may stay throughout the present Grant Settlement framework.
The funding granted by the Connecting Europe Facility ensures the continued progress of the undertaking. Presently, building is underway on roughly 160 kilometers of the primary railway line, whereas work on the implementation of railway subsystems is ongoing: the electrification procurement course of has concluded and the contract is within the signing section, whereas the procurements for management–command and signaling techniques are nonetheless in progress.
By the tip of 2025, round 43% of the Rail Baltica mainline is anticipated to be within the building section. Up to now, greater than €4 billion in funding has been secured for the undertaking, with a big share supplied by the European Union and nationwide governments. Contemplating the price will increase brought on by inflation, Rail Baltica is
additionally exploring extra funding mechanisms, together with public-private partnership (PPP) fashions and tapping into the EU Army Mobility Fund.
Rail Baltica progress
In Estonia, contracts have been signed for the development of your complete Rail Baltica route from Tallinn to the Latvian border. Presently, works are ongoing alongside a piece of greater than 100 kilometers between Tallinn (Ülemiste) and Tootsi. All needed building permits for these sections have been obtained. Moreover, the Estonian authorities has authorized the beginning of preparatory works alongside a roughly 40-kilometer stretch within the southern a part of Pärnu County. Which means planning and different needed actions can now proceed on this space in preparation for future building.
In Latvia, building is ongoing at Riga Central Station and close to the airport. The short-term observe set up has been accomplished, and work on the signaling techniques is underway. In spring, work resumed on the southern a part of the station, with the objective of opening this part for passenger visitors by summer season 2027. Within the southern part of Rail Baltica in Latvia, building has began close to Iecava, the place an infrastructure upkeep facility and short-term logistics centre are being constructed. Embankment building, entry highway setup, earthworks, and set up of a short lived workplace are in progress. The positioning will even see ditch cleansing and constructing demolition works. This space will function a help hub for building between Misa and the Lithuanian border.
In Lithuania, building is underway on the mainline part close to Jonava, the place over 46 kilometers of railway embankment and associated infrastructure are being constructed. As well as, procurements have been introduced for one more 68-kilometer part, together with a 10-km superstructure set up deliberate quickly. A brand new bridge over the Neris River is beneath building. Design works on the part from Kaunas to Ramygala are nearing completion, whereas land acquisition is ongoing. Planning for regional stations has been accomplished, and preparations are underway for the subsequent spherical of infrastructure procurements scheduled for 2025
