Rail Baltic Estonia, the City of Tallinn, and the construction company LEONHARD WEISS OÜ have signed a €9.8 million contract for the construction of the substructure of the Rail Baltica Ülemiste station area and the first phase of the Kantsi tunnel. The tunnel will create a new connection between Lasnamäe and Ülemiste and contribute to the development of one of Tallinn’s most important growth areas into an international transport, business, and service hub.

Currently, access to the Ülemiste area is mainly via Tartu Road, and the next railway crossing option is more than three kilometers away on Smuuli Road. The completion of the Kantsi tunnel will create a new connection between Peterburi Road and Suur-Sõjamäe Street, improving access for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, and car traffic. At present, the railway can only be crossed at this location via a pedestrian bridge.

According to Kadi Pärnits, Chairman of the Management Board of AS Mainor, the project is the result of years of cooperation.
“We are very pleased that the long process of negotiations, design, and now procurement for the Kantsi tunnel has been completed, and in the future Tallinn will gain a new route from Peterburi Road to Suur-Sõjamäe Street. This will make traffic smoother for pedestrians, public transport, and cars, and is a very important solution for alleviating congestion at the intersection of Tartu Road, Järvevana Road, and Suur-Sõjamäe Street. It will also increase safety for road users during traffic disruptions,” said Pärnits.

She added that Mainor has been an active partner in preparing the project for years.
“AS Mainor has led negotiations and contributed over the years, and we are proud that cooperation between the Ministry of Climate, Rail Baltic Estonia, the City of Tallinn, Estonian Railways, and other parties has borne fruit, and construction of the first phase of the Kantsi tunnel is beginning. Mainor has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Tallinn to contribute to the second and third construction phases of the tunnel.”

According to Anvar Salomets, Chairman of the Management Board of Rail Baltic Estonia, this is an important step in the development of the entire Ülemiste area.
“The Kantsi tunnel is much more than just a railway underpass. It is part of a larger whole that will transform the Ülemiste area into the most important international mobility hub in Estonia. Rail Baltica will not only connect us with Europe, but will also help better link different regions of Estonia and Tallinn, creating conditions for new investments and jobs,” said Salomets.

Aleksei Dohin, procurator and Director of Engineering Construction Division at LEONHARD WEISS OÜ, said the contract marks an important milestone in the development of both Rail Baltica and Estonia’s railway infrastructure.
“The contract for the construction works of the Rail Baltica Ülemiste station area and the first phase of the Kantsi tunnel is an important step in developing Estonia’s railway infrastructure and implementing the entire Rail Baltica project. We are pleased to apply our extensive experience and expertise to this strategic project, which will improve regional connectivity, enhance safety, and create new opportunities in the future.

LEONHARD WEISS OÜ has participated in several infrastructure sections of the Rail Baltica project in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, including the Ülemiste light traffic tunnel, the expansion of railway infrastructure at Riga Central Station, and the construction of the Šveicarija–Žeimiai railway section,” said Dohin.

The value of the contract between Rail Baltic Estonia and LEONHARD WEISS OÜ is €9,826,169. In addition to the Kantsi tunnel, the project includes a new passenger waiting platform with access, as well as the substructure of the Rail Baltica European-gauge railway infrastructure in the Ülemiste station area, including embankments, drainage systems, and necessary utilities. The deadline for the first phase of works is October 31, 2027.

The construction of the Kantsi tunnel is part of a much larger vision. Rail Baltic Estonia, Tallinn Airport, and Mainor will invest a total of nearly €500 million in the Ülemiste area over the coming years. The goal is to transform what was once an industrial area on the edge of Lasnamäe into a modern city center that complements the historic Old Town and the Telliskivi Creative City.

Already today, based on labor tax contributions, Ülemiste City is Estonia’s third-largest economic “city.” By 2030, the district is expected to accommodate 25,000 people living, studying, and working there.

The Linda terminal, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is scheduled for completion in 2028. Together with the airport, Ülemiste City, and the planned European park, the area is expected to become an attractive entry point into Estonia for international companies and investors.