Estonian Railways has confirmed the revised schedule for the electrification and reconstruction of the Tartu railway line—part of a historic, large-scale investment aimed at delivering faster, safer and more environmentally friendly rail services.
The works form part of Estonia’s broader strategy to modernise its rail infrastructure, enabling electric trains to operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h between Tallinn and Tartu by 2026. The EUR 500 million programme also supports the country’s long-term climate goals by reducing emissions from the transport sector.
The project, which involves the complete electrification and reconstruction of the line, has experienced some delays due to added operational and safety requirements. These include minimising restrictions to regular train traffic to accommodate major events in southern Estonia, NATO exercises, and freight transport. Additional construction was also added to improve pedestrian safety and increase permitted train speeds on the Kiltsi–Rakke–Vägeva section.
In parallel, Estonian Railways is also overhauling its entire railway traffic control system to accommodate electric operations.
Key Milestones:
- Autumn 2025: Major infrastructure reconstruction completed; railway speeds return to previous levels.
- September 2025: Infrastructure between Tallinn and Tapa ready for electric train operations.
- End of 2025: Completion of substation construction works in Jõgeva.
- Summer 2026: Security system upgrades complete, enabling electric train operation all the way to Tartu.
The Tapa–Tartu upgrade is a cornerstone of Estonia’s ambition to double domestic rail passenger numbers from 8 million to 20 million by 2035. Between 2021 and 2026, Estonian Railways will invest around EUR 500 million to prepare the national network for high-speed electric train operations to Tartu and Narva.
The total investment includes:
- EUR 286 million for electrification,
- EUR 110 million for security systems and level crossings,
- EUR 97 million for track upgrades,
- EUR 7 million for traffic automation.
Funding sources include EUR 271 million in EU funds, EUR 117 million from the Estonian state budget, and EUR 112 million from Estonian Railways’ own contributions.
When complete, the modernised Tapa–Tartu corridor will mark a major leap forward in both service quality and climate impact for Estonia’s rail network.
Share on:
