Rail Baltica (RB), a greenfield rail transport infrastructure project’s delivery organisation in Estonia, has signed a €70.8m ($78.03m) contract to build a 9.2km stretch of the project's main line.
This track, stretching from Soodevahe to Kangru in Rae Parish, will run via a trench that reaches depths of up to 10m below ground level.
The contract for this section has been awarded to Verston and Järelpinge Inseneribüroo, following their successful joint bid.
This marks Verston’s fourth contract for a Rail Baltica main line section.
Verston CEO Veiko Veskimäe said: “As contractors, we are dedicated to finding solutions, as it is clear that in a project of this scale, things do not happen easily by themselves. Achieving our shared goal requires the intelligence, commitment, and genuine effort of all parties to find the best solutions, even in the most challenging situations.”
The aim is to initiate construction on at least one-third of Estonia's 213km Rail Baltica main line within the year, equating to about 70km.
Currently, contracts are in place or construction is underway for 65km of the main line in the country.
The latest section to be constructed includes a 5km trench.
The trench will vary in width from 55m to 75m and pass under Põrguvälja Road, where Verston is also constructing technical systems and a viaduct, due for completion in November this year.
Additional structures, including the Tallinn-Tartu Highway viaduct, have already been completed.
By the end of the year, the railway bridge over the Vaskjala-Ülemiste canal and the Rae highway viaduct is also expected to be completed.
The new contract includes constructing an embankment for Soodevahe station, a railway bridge over the Kurna stream, the Uuesalu viaduct, and the Rae wildlife overpass.
As part of the contract, platforms will be constructed in the trench, with provisions for future expansions, including crossings up to the platform level.
The construction contract includes a 40-month duration, with completion for the Soodevahe-Kangru section expected in January 2028.
Funding for this project comes from the Connecting Europe Facility and the Estonian state budget.
