03.04.2023
The development of the Rail Baltica Ülemiste joint terminal will begin with the reconstruction of the region's railway infrastructure, for which Rail Baltic Estonia and the joint bidders GRK Eesti AS and GRK Suomi OY signed a contract worth 27,2 million euros.
During the construction works, the existing Ülemiste railway infrastructure will be rebuilt to make room for the future 1435 mm gauge Rail Baltica railway. For this, approximately 16,3 kilometers of existing tracks will be demolished and over 8 kilometers of new 1520 mm gauge tracks will be built.
Rail Baltic Estonia Chairman of the Board Anvar SalometsAccording to Salomets, starting the reconstruction of the railway infrastructure in the Ülemiste region is an important step for the entire Rail Baltica project, which will also allow for the next stages of the joint terminal to move forward. “According to the newly signed agreement, the majority of the work will be carried out within the next year and completely completed by 2026. GRK's strong competence and experience should ensure the timely completion of the reconstruction and the maximum quality of the work,” said Salomets.
The construction contract is worth 27,2 million euros, of which the most extensive work is related to the construction of the tracks and the embankment. In addition, a catenary network will be built on the main roads and a traffic control system, electrical supply and lighting will be built in the station area.
During the construction works, operational train traffic on the main roads will be ensured and the existing relay-based traffic control system will be temporarily reconstructed for this purpose. In addition to the railway works, the scope of the construction procurement also includes the reconstruction of utility networks crossing the railway and the Kantsi viaduct.
"We have already contributed to the Rail Baltica project last year by building the Urge ecoduct, and today we are carrying out construction work on the Kehtna-Põlma road viaduct. The Ülemiste terminal railway project can be called very important from the perspective of the Estonian transport network and Rail Baltica, and we can be proud that the first meters of rails on the Rail Baltica route will be installed by GRK. We expect smooth cooperation with all parties involved in the project, including the client, Eesti Raudtee AS, the city of Tallinn and others, aimed at a high-quality end result," explained the CEO of GRK Eesti AS Priit Paabo.
In addition, the procurement of construction works for the second phase of the Ülemiste joint terminal, namely the railway substructures, which will build the underground floor of the finished terminal and other related railway facilities, is currently under evaluation.
The construction of the structures will take place after the demolition of the existing railway and must be completed before the construction of the new railways, requiring close cooperation from the infrastructure contractor and the terminal structures contractor.
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