20.08.2014
We have been moving forward at a reasonable pace with the planning of the new international high-speed railway, Rail Baltic, in recent months. In-depth analyses have been carried out to select the best route, and route sections have been discussed with local residents, municipalities and county governments in many public discussions and meetings. It can be said that most of the Rail Baltic railway corridor planned for Estonia has been discussed with stakeholders by now, and a solution has been found for the most suitable route.
As the project progresses, it is understandable that here and there there will be statements from skeptics whose lands or businesses the planned railway will directly affect, or who are concerned about the project's profitability. This is understandable, because there are few examples in the world where the construction of large bridges, tunnels, roads or railways would be accompanied by the enthusiastic support of the people living next to them. Similarly, it is inconceivable that the infrastructure objects being built would "break even" in the first few years and would not require money or guarantees from the state during construction.
Upcoming overpasses, bridges and noise barriers
No major road, bridge or railway can be built without additional investment or without affecting the livelihoods of local people. However, the project planning team and the state can do much to ensure that the restructuring is possible and painless, and that the project's more diverse and long-term benefits for all Estonians outweigh the one-time cost today.
Various route sections have been thoroughly analyzed to find the most suitable route for Rail Baltic, but inevitably some houses, fields or forests will be closer to the railway than we would like, and the planned route will change people's habitual movement paths more than we would like. Therefore, after the location of the railway corridor is clarified, concrete solutions will be proposed this autumn for the construction of level crossings, passages, bridges, tunnels and ecoducts along the route.
Although Rail Baltic will generate less noise and vibration than the existing railway thanks to modern technology, a more stable structure and lighter trains, additional solutions are proposed to mitigate these effects. For example, noise barriers and soil reinforcements are planned to dampen noise and vibration. When building Rail Baltic, the state does not intend to ignore the concerns of local people living next to the railway about their houses or living arrangements, but will find specific solutions to alleviate the problems.
Both passengers and cargo
In addition to finding the location of the railway route and technical solutions, it is necessary to keep in mind the purpose of the railway being created and its impact on the whole of Estonia. Rail Baltic is not a thing in itself, but an important strategic investment in the entire Estonian economy. The new railway will create better travel opportunities for people to neighboring countries and Central and Western Europe and vice versa. The fast and modern connection will also expand business opportunities for companies. If a high-quality and regular railway connection is guaranteed, it will also generate the creation of new industries and production volumes.
The total cost of Rail Baltic from Tallinn to the Polish border is expected to be approximately 3,7 billion euros. Estonia's share in this is approximately 1,1 billion euros, which includes both construction and land purchase. From the point of view of economic profitability, it has been clear from the beginning that in the early years of Rail Baltic, it is not possible to immediately recoup the investments and not expect to make a profit. In the case of similar large public projects, the start-up time is natural and the benefits generated cannot be measured only in money.
Long-term investment
The railway should be able to pay for itself in the coming years if it serves 9–10 million tons of goods per year along the entire route through the Baltic States and a total of nearly 3000 people travel by train in both directions between Tallinn and Riga every day, for example. For comparison, currently over 2000 people travel in both directions between Tallinn and Riga per day. In addition, Tallinn Airport currently serves approximately two million passengers per year and the Port of Tallinn serves nine million. Rail Baltic, which is significantly faster, safer and more comfortable than road transport, and reaches Pärnu from Tallinn in 45 minutes, will in turn increase the number of passengers.
In addition, Rail Baltic will open up new opportunities for international travelers. The new railway will be connected to both Tallinn Old Port and Tallinn Airport via modernized tram traffic, and new passenger terminals are also planned for Ülemiste and the city of Pärnu. Tourists from Central and Western Europe and Scandinavia will also be able to use these fast and convenient opportunities when traveling to Estonia and our neighboring countries. It is also important that, in addition to freight transport, the construction of Rail Baltic will also expand the business opportunities of our companies in the tourism sector and create new jobs.
Rail Baltic is a railway connection that benefits all of Estonia, not just one city, company or landowner. Rail Baltic is not being built just for today's generations or the next ten years. It is a project that will serve our children and grandchildren for many decades after its completion. I believe that restructuring your current life or business for its sake is not too high a price.
Source: Õhtuleht, http://www.ohtuleht.ee/591898/anti-moppel-rail-balticust-voidab-kogu-eesti
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