The construction of Rail Baltic is currently underway. Builders expected trains to start running in 2030. However, the government may postpone the completion deadline by four years.
This saddens Sven Pertens, the head of construction company Trev2. He says that if work doesn't come, they cannot keep employees on payroll. People cannot wait for years for work.
Verston built the railway track through limestone and a swamp. Their leader Veiko Veskimäe says that more time will help find better solutions. He also has problems – currently, there is a shortage of trucks.
Rail Baltic Estonia believes that the postponement could slow down the construction market. More reliance should be placed on EU funding. A longer timeframe would allow building more cost-effectively.
The postponement also affects the purchase of trains. Elron wants to buy new trains to start running in 2030. Each year, the project becomes more expensive.
The construction pace in Latvia is slow. However, the Tallinn-Pärnu section could be completed by the end of the decade. It is the most advanced.
Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis says that the construction of the entire route could slow down. Then more EU funding could be utilized.