30.04.2026
On April 28, a Rail Baltica information evening was held at the Kurtna Event Center. As expected, those present were most interested in the practical details of the currently ongoing construction activities and the local impacts of the construction works. However, the broader picture of the Rail Baltica project and the prospects for international train traffic were also discussed, including a more detailed timeline and when a functional connection with Latvia would be completed.
Practical issues – impact of construction
The construction of the Rail Baltica route is fast-paced, which is also reflected in the volume of materials: last year, approximately 100,000 tons of material were transported for the route construction, and a similar volume is expected this year. The main sources of supply continue to be the Sutlema quarry (rock fill) and the Männiku quarry (sand). Much focus has also been placed on the problem of dust and dirt associated with the transport of materials, which has diverted a lot of resources to road maintenance, but now the situation should ease compared to before.
People also had questions related to water movement and drainage. For example, special solutions are being built to preserve the Kõrnumäe pond in the form of an earthen embankment and a regulator. However, the problem remains in the Soo road and Vääna river area: the existing regulator is too high and the water level cannot be lowered sufficiently. In the Koosi area, a communication cable is preventing drainage improvements, the relocation of which should solve the situation.
The condition and restoration of transportation roads was also a separate focus. All roads are documented before the start of work and the contractor is obliged to restore them. Residents who attended the information evening pointed out the confusion regarding traffic signs (e.g. on Hao Road), where speed limits are not unambiguous and, in their opinion, unreasonable.
It was confirmed to the local community that there would be no transportation on weekends.
Route and major facilities
The next major project to be built in the region is an ecoduct, the construction of which will also lead to reorganization of the local road network: the existing road will become a dead end and a new road will be built. The Kiisa ecoduct, in turn, is being prepared for the pouring of its ceiling.
The contractor also provided information that two gas pipelines will need to be relocated, the one in the Soo Road area will definitely be relocated this year.
Local stops in the region were also discussed – after all, there will be 12 local stops on the Rail Baltica route next to the Ülemiste and Pärnu international terminals. The information evening focused on the Kurtna stop, which is planned to have a bypass option, i.e. additional tracks, and Saku station was also discussed. The topic of noise barriers was also raised, in which, in addition to conventional panels, green-covered variants that create a sense of proximity to nature will be used.
About the work schedule and train traffic
The information evening naturally also discussed the timetable – both in terms of the local view and the entire railway route. The contractor described this year's goals, according to which the aim is to have approximately 5 km of the future railway embankment ready by the end of the year. It must be taken into account that in some sections – e.g. at Soo tee – the route will rise up to 7 meters above the existing ground. The deadline for the completion of the entire embankment is 2028. After that, the superstructure will continue and the construction of the station building will also begin.
When discussing the timetable for the completion of the Rail Baltica railway connection, it was emphasized that no Baltic country has backed down from the goal agreed at the European level to complete the railway by 2030. In connection with the launch of the train connection, a brief overview was also given of the recently announced tender by Elron for the purchase of regional trains.
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