had The Rail Baltica as a priority rail project for the EU. But for years nothing happened. Now mega is taken project.

With four years delay in the construction of the Rail Baltica finally begun photo: Mihkel Maripuu/imago

A construction site is 15 km South of Estonia's capital, Tallinn, the visible sign of that it starts really. In the vicinity of the village of Saku, the earthworks for the construction of a railway underpass have commenced. In a couple of years ago for trains to transport their passengers with 240 km/h in the Latvian capital, Riga, and in Lithuanian Kaunas, but also to Warsaw and Berlin are here. The realisation of the Rail Baltica is finally underway.

From Germany, take the train in the Baltic States, is still a little adventure. You can, for example, of Riga from Moscow comfortable through the night with the train, you have to plan for about the same long route to Berlin for two days. You need to require and not sneaking in part, on tracks, allowing more than 30 km/h. No wonder that most travelers choose the plane or the Bus.

Actually, that should have been different. Already 25 years ago, there were first plans, such as Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia better with the Central European rail network could be linked. After these countries in 2004 the EU had become members, presented Brussels as a "priority project no. 27" listed railway line, the Tallinn and Riga with Lithuania and Poland should connect. In 2014 a new building was in line with the European standard gauge adopted, whereby the border to Poland, required gauge changeover from the Russian would be wide track superfluous. But so far, not a lot has happened.

The EU promised to 85 percent of the approximately 6 billion Euro estimated investment cost for the 870-kilometre-long route from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-financing Polish border, in the case of the European investment Bank also installment payments are available. But the money is not, or only partially retrieved from the Baltic governments at all. Rail infrastructure is not seen as a high priority. Two of the three parties and the Estonian coalition government are not convinced of the project: It will be expected neither from the people nor from the freight traffic here.

the planning of the exact route took. Each country had their own ideas. The three national project companies often worked not with, but against each other. Several of the managers for the coordination of competent multi-national Rail Baltica holding company threw unnerved in the towel. Most recently, the Finn Timo Riihimäki, who gave up in the autumn, after only eight months in office with the prediction: "it continues so, there will be this train never."

construction site South of Tallinn: From 2026, it goes here by train directly to Berlin photo: Sander Ilvest/Sanpix/imago

Meanwhile, you seem to be, at least in principle, agree. However, some of the conservation and non - governmental organizations oppose against parts of the new line, including a – as luck would have it – sponsored by a large Truck transportation company.

road freight and bus transport has to fear the railway competition. To purchase the proceedings or compulsory purchase of required for construction of more than 3,000 plots of land to take in many places. Only the Lithuanian Parliament adopted a law, with the process accelerated and forced expropriations facilitates were. There, farmers complain, however, much too low a compensation.

In Lithuania began in 2014 with the construction of a 123 km long standard-gauge line from Kaunas to the Polish border. However, this already busy route does not meet the EU-prescribed standards. Instead of speeds of up to 240 km/h it is designed only for a maximum of 120 km/h. Either you must now be rebuilt, in part, complex or equal. Modernized parts of the connection route in Poland between Warsaw and the border to Lithuania to be.

a few weeks Ago, the government assured the heads of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, have until the first half of the year 2021, all outstanding detail plans completed and awarded are then immediately contracts for the construction work. Otherwise, EU threaten to lapse of funds.

Despite a three - to four-year delay in the design phase, will be officially aiming for is still the year of 2026 for completion of the entire project. Every two hours then it should be a fast connection between the Baltic capitals and the larger towns on the route, four times a day to Warsaw. And it is hoped to be able to a large part of freight transport from road to Rail.

Whether you have actually in 2027 at Berlin Central station on the night train and 12 hours later, in Tallinn, you enjoy your Breakfast? Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas dampen too much optimism: It will be the end of the 20s so far. Then perhaps a 100 kilometre-long Baltic sea tunnel could be between the capitals of Estonia and Finland, the plans to build a Finnish consortium with the help of Chinese partners. Terminus of the Rail Baltica would be Helsinki.