Railway system migration plan to be developed through joint study by Transport Ministry and Estonian Ministry of Climate
The Latvian Transport Ministry, in collaboration with the Estonian Ministry of Climate, the European Commission, and various international bodies, have initiated a study to evaluate the migration of the existing 1,520 millimeter gauge railway system to a 1,435 millimeter gauge system. This transition is necessary for the successful implementation of the Rail Baltica project, which aims to construct a 870-kilometer European-standard railway line from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border.
The study, to be conducted by experts from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Transport Forum (ITF), will focus on preparing a recommended migration scenario for integrating the rail networks of Latvia and Estonia into the Single European Railway Area. This integration will facilitate cross-border traffic and improve interoperability through the adoption of the European standard gauge.
Transport Minister Atis Svinka opened the first meeting of the joint study, where the parties discussed the objectives of the study. These objectives include assessing the transition of European corridor railway lines in Latvia and Estonia to the European standard gauge, as well as evaluating the impact on interoperability, electrification, and the development of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
The Rail Baltica project is anticipated to have a significant impact on the region's economic competitiveness, safety, and cross-border rail efficiency. The new railway line, with a maximum train speed of 240 kilometers per hour, will connect the Baltic states with other European countries, enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth.
The cost of the first phase of Rail Baltica in the Baltics could reach EUR 14.3 billion, with potential savings of up to EUR 500 million from optimizing technical solutions. A previous cost-benefit analysis in 2017 estimated the total cost of the project at EUR 5.8 billion. The joint venture "RB Rail" AS, supported by the European Commission, has allocated over €295 million for Rail Baltica development, including cross-border coordination and system planning.
The socio-economic analysis of the Baltic rail gauge change is a crucial part of the project. It will assess the challenges and stakeholder expectations on the rail migration strategy, and will be carried out in conjunction with neighboring Member States, given the cross-border sections involved.
The European Union member states with an existing rail network whose gauge differs from the European standard nominal gauge have until July 19, 2026, to carry out an assessment to determine whether existing rail lines located on European transport corridors can be converted to the European standard nominal gauge. The Rail Baltica project underscores the importance of this transition for seamless rail travel across Europe.
As the study progresses, it will continue with bilateral meetings with industry experts to assess the performance of national railway systems and gather insights on the rail migration strategy. The ultimate goal is to create a more efficient, safe, and economically competitive rail network for the benefit of the Baltic states and the wider European Union.
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