On 28 November, the cornerstone of the first construction structure on the Rail Baltica main line in Estonia, the Saustinõmme viaduct, was laid to mark the beginning of Rail Baltica’s high-speed rail link.
The Saustinõmme viaduct, which crosses the main route of Rail Baltica, is the first cooperation project between Rail Baltic Estonia, the Estonian Road Administration and RB Rail in establishing Rail Baltica.
Various intersections between the future Rail Baltica and the existing infrastructure will be built in cooperation with the Estonian Road Administration and also with major network operators in the coming years. This includes building highway bypasses, relocating high-voltage lines and gas pipelines and so on, Rail Baltic Estonia said in a statement.
Works should be completed in 2021
The subject of the construction contract with YIT is a 4.1-kilometre (2.55-mile) four-lane highway with a connection between the Luige and Saku junctions. In addition to the road bypass crossing the Rail Baltica route, new twin bypasses of the Saku junction and an animal tunnel are planned for the section.
One of the three double bypasses on the road section, the Saustinõmme viaduct, will cross the planned Rail Baltica route. All works should be completed by the second quarter of 2021.
Rail Baltica is a new economic corridor, providing a railway that connects the Baltic states with the European railway network. The infrastructure will allow passengers to reach Tallinn from Pärnu in 40 minutes and Riga in two hours.
Cover: The rendering of Ülemiste Rail Baltica terminal, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (the image is illustrative).
