Project leaders highlighted Rail Baltica’s role in European connectivity, resilience, military mobility and cross-border transport integration.
Representatives from European institutions, industry organisations and transport stakeholders gathered in Brussels on 4 June for Rail Baltica in Focus, an event dedicated to the progress and strategic importance of one of Europe’s largest cross-border rail infrastructure projects.
The event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, media and members of the wider Rail Baltica community to discuss project delivery, future funding requirements and the wider role of rail infrastructure in strengthening European connectivity and resilience.
Participants were given the opportunity to engage directly with project leaders and discuss issues ranging from transport integration and military mobility to financing and implementation timelines.
Rail Baltica advances construction across the Baltic states
Opening the event, Steven Van Hecke placed Rail Baltica within the context of Europe’s broader strategic challenges, highlighting the importance of coordinated action to deliver major infrastructure projects that strengthen competitiveness and security.
Marko Kivila provided an update on project progress and outlined four key objectives: connecting the Baltic states to the wider European rail network, generating economic benefits, strengthening military mobility and delivering the goals of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Construction activity is continuing across all three Baltic states. According to project leaders, 267 kilometres of railway are now construction-ready, representing approximately 43 per cent of the Phase One mainline route.
In Estonia, construction of 107 kilometres of mainline railway and the Ülemiste terminal is expected to be underway during 2026. In Latvia, work continues on the southern section of the route as well as developments at Riga Central Station and Riga Airport. Meanwhile, Lithuania has begun track laying activities, with 114 kilometres of mainline currently under construction.
A major theme throughout the event was military mobility. Rail Baltica has been designed to support both civilian and defence requirements, creating a fully interoperable standard-gauge connection between the Baltic states and the wider European rail network.
Funding remains one of the project’s most important priorities. Rail Baltica has received significant support through the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility, which has funded up to 85 per cent of eligible project costs, alongside contributions from the Military Mobility programme and national governments.
Kivila said the project had reached the stage where construction readiness was no longer the main challenge, with future progress now dependent on securing continued financial support.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion involving project executives, who answered questions covering construction delivery, financing, cross-border cooperation and future implementation plans.
Organisers said the level of engagement demonstrated growing recognition of Rail Baltica as a strategic investment supporting European connectivity, competitiveness, resilience and security.
No comments yet