AS Eesti Raudtee, the national railway infrastructure company of Estonia, has signed an EUR 8.9 million contract with Leonhard Weiss OÜ to overhaul the Kiltsi–Rakke–Vägeva rail section and expand passenger waiting platforms at Kiltsi and Rakke stations. The upgrades will pave the way for increasing the speed limit for passenger trains on the Tartu route to 160 km/h.
“The existing section still uses an outdated type of concrete sleepers, fastenings, and rails, which do not allow speeds above 140 km/h. During the reconstruction, 17.62 km of rails and sleepers will be replaced, and the level crossings at Nõmme, Räitsvere, Rakke, and Edru will also be upgraded,” said Imre Reipõld, Head of Construction Services at AS Eesti Raudtee.
To accommodate the speed increase, new 100-metre passenger platforms will be built at Kiltsi and Rakke stations, featuring wider safety zones and weather-resistant waiting rooms. Additionally, station sidings will be relocated. The main construction work is set for 2025, with project completion expected in November 2026.
“For Leonhard Weiss OÜ, this project marks the second major overhaul on this section, with the goal of raising the maximum speed to 160 km/h. Most of the work must be completed this year, and we are prepared for the challenge. Having operated in Estonia since 1996, we have the resources to handle even the most complex railway infrastructure projects,” said Indrek Kaliste, Board Member of Leonhard Weiss OÜ.
The project incorporates sustainability initiatives, as the removed rails and sleepers will be reused at other stations, replacing outdated components with reinforced concrete sleepers.
Additionally, a safety fence will be installed along the Äntu-Nõmme educational hiking trails near the Kiltsi–Rakke section to enhance pedestrian safety.
The initiative is state-funded, using revenue from greenhouse gas emission allowance trading, supporting Estonia’s commitment to environmentally responsible infrastructure improvements.
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