Rail Baltica
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In depthBaltic States: Co-operation and competition drive network development
While Rail Baltica moves slowly towards its planned opening in 2030, the national railways in the three Baltic States are continuing to invest in modernising their broad gauge networks and integrating their domestic and international operations into the wider European network, as Vladimir Waldin explains.
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In depthBaltic States: Tight timeline sparks Rail Baltica rethink
Facing increasing pressure on both cost and deliverability grounds, the Rail Baltica project to build a standard gauge spine through the Baltic States is now to be delivered in two phases. Toma Bačić explains.
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NewsLithuania forms Rail Baltica design unit to develop skills for the long term
LITHUANIA: LTG Infra has established a dedicated design unit to ensure rapid progress with Rail Baltica, and to handle future projects including further standard gauge lines.
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News‘Highly complex’ Rail Baltica electrification contract signed
EUROPE: The COBELEC consortium and the Rail Baltica project promoters have ceremonially signed the €1·77bn design and build contract for electrification of the future standard gauge corridor.
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NewsPoland – Lithuania link design included in latest Rail Baltica contract awards
EUROPE: DB Engineering & Consulting is to provide design and supervision services for the 96 km Polish border to Kaunas section of the future Rail Baltica standard gauge railway corridor through the Baltic States.
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NewsConnecting Europe Facility grants awarded as calls grow to protect EU rail funding
EUROPE: The European Commission has announced nearly €2∙8bn in Connecting Europe Facility grants, with the rail sector being the leading beneficiary. Nevertheless, concerns over the future of CEF and the EU’s wider commitment to rail spending are mounting.
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NewsEstonia lets more Rail Baltica construction contracts
ESTONIA: Two construction contracts have been signed covering northern sections of the Rail Baltica corridor which will link the Baltic states with Poland.
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NewsNATO visit looks at Rail Baltica’s role in military mobility and regional security
LITHUANIA: The NATO Force Integration Unit has visited a Rail Baltica construction site to discuss how the civilian project will also significantly enhance the alliance’s ability to deploy reinforcements in the region.
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In depthEurope: Rail Baltica makes progress despite cost increase
Construction of the long-planned 1 435 mm gauge north-south rail corridor through the Baltic States is ramping up rapidly, despite a near-trebling of the forecast cost and continuing uncertainty over some sections of the route. Toma Bačić reports from Tallinn.
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NewsWreath of European plants tops out Riga Central station
LATVIA: A Rail Baltica and Europe-themed wreath formed the centrepiece of the topping out ceremony for the new station building at Riga Central. The station is being extensively remodelled to improve facilities for services on the existing broad gauge network as well as accommodating the Rail ...
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NewsLithuanian rail operator pilots ‘competitive green logistics’ in the three Baltic States
EUROPE: Lithuania’s LTG Cargo has operated a pilot freight train through Latvia to Valga, the first station in Estonia. On February 23 CEO Eglė Šimė said LTG Cargo plans to start offering ‘competitive green logistics services’ in the three countries in the near future, as a ...
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NewsVilnius – Riga passenger train to launch in December
EUROPE: Lithuanian passenger operator LTG Link expects to launch a through service from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia in December, filling a gap in the European passenger rail network. A track access agreement has been signed with the Latvian infrastructure manager, Latvian speaking drivers have been ...
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NewsRail projects receive share of €6·2bn of Connecting Europe Facility grant funding
EUROPE: Various rail enhancement schemes are among the 107 projects on the Trans-European Transport Network which have been allocated a total of €6·2bn under the latest EU Connecting Europe Facility grant provisions.
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NewsRail Baltica Academy to provide project insights for all
EUROPE: The Rail Baltica Academy is to hold its third series of online public lectures from May 22, aiming to provide a broad audience including industry professionals, policymakers, students and future users with insights gained from the cross-border standard gauge line project. The lecture programme is ...
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NewsVilnius Railway Node design tender announced
LITHUANIA: Infrastructure manager LTG Infra launched design procurement for Rail Baltica’s Vilnius Railway Node on February 13. The procurement covers the design of Vilnius station, which will become the country’s main hub for Rail Baltica international passenger services, the regional stations at Vilnius Airport and Lentvaris, ...
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NewsBaltic States discuss Vilnius – Riga – Tallinn passenger service and gauge conversion
EUROPE: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are to explore options to launch a passenger service between their capitals using existing 1 520 mm gauge railways, ahead of the completion of the future Rail Baltica 1 435 mm gauge line. The lack of through services between the Baltic ...
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NewsRail Baltica regional station design contract signed
ESTONIA: National Rail Baltica project implementation body Rail Baltic Estonia has awarded Ardanuy Ingeneria a €368 000 contract to design seven stations for use by regional passenger services on the future 1 435 mm gauge line. The stations at Assaku, Luige, Saku and Kurtna in the ...
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NewsThree Seas high speed network proposed to link Warszawa with Tallinn, Budapest, Praha and Kyiv
EUROPE: Memoranda of understanding for co-operation on the development of new and enhanced rail links between capital cities in central and eastern Europe, including Kyiv, were signed at the Railway Direction Days 2023 conference in Warszawa.
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NewsVTG Rail targets Baltic freight opportunities
LITHUANIA: VTG Rail Logistics has increased its presence in the Baltic region, rebranding VTG Project Logistics as VTG Rail Logistics Baltics to act as a full-service rail forwarder with ‘advanced tailor-made solutions’ and an international reach. ‘The ongoing Rail Baltica corridor project will connect five EU ...
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News€353m Rail Baltica grant agreement signed
EUROPE: A grant agreement which will see the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility provide €353·9m for the Rail Baltica project has been signed by the European Climate, Infrastructure & Environment Executive Agency, ministries from the three countries and tri-national implementation agency RB Rail. This will fund the ...