Project preparation for electrification of Rail Baltica started

The Italferr Consortium (FS Italiane Group), Deutsche Bahn and Idom, Spain, has won a contract to electrify the new Rail Baltica high-speed line. This line will connect the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the European Normal Gauge Railway network. It is the largest single contract for an electrification project in the world. The contract has a duration of 7 years with a value of EUR 25 million.

The project includes a track with a total length of 870 kilometers. The order includes traction power stations, overhead contact lines and energy control. As part of the contract, Italferr will process the project documentation, prepare tenders, provide technical assistance to the customer and lead the construction. The order is divided into two parts. As part of the first phase, the consortium will process technical studies with advanced software simulation of the energy system, propose a technical architecture and specification for the implementation of the project. In the second phase, the consortium will oversee the implementation of project and construction work.

The project is managed by the intergovernmental agency RB Rail AS with a total investment of €5,8 billion, which is 85% financed by the European Union. The line is designed as a double track and will include 7 passenger stations and 3 new multimodal freight terminals, including additional connections to ports and airports. The line will be equipped with ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and will allow a maximum speed of 249 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains. The expected start-up of the full-length line is 2026. The line in the full-lenght is expected to be made operational by 2026.