The network could be deployed for "military mobility" purposes, organisers suggest.

08:59, Fri, Jan 9, 2026 Updated: 09:32, Fri, Jan 9, 2026

Trains at platform with new station in background

A huge railway line is being built in eastern Europe (Image: Getty)

The iron curtain was lifted from Eastern Europe decades ago, but it is generally accepted that the region's infrastructure still remains behind that in the west. Central and eastern Europe have a €1.15trillion (£997billion) gap in infrastructure investments, a Three Seas Summit report based on an IMF study read. The group of 12 European Union countries between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas added that although they have achieved "remarkable advances" over the last 30 years, they "first and foremost need to invest in infrastructure projects that connect the region... in order to reach the level of more developed European countries".

Projects are being overseen to try and improve public transport in Baltics. One of these has been in discussion for 35 years. Rail Baltica is predicted to cost around €15.3billion (£13.2billion) and would stretch between four countries – Estonia, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Rail Baltic substructure construction is in full force in Estonia. This is the Raplamaa mainline section I. More than half of Estonian sections are either already in construction or entering construction. pic.twitter.com/aTDPhz56MQ

— ⭔ Alex Luik ??????????????????️‍?????? (@estxkid) April 15, 2025

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The project's expected benefits were described in a 2024 report, including "military mobility".

It read: "Rail Baltica supports trade flows affected by geopolitical events, such as Russia’s war on Ukraine, and aids Ukraine’s reconstruction. It enhances energy security by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, reducing consumption by 1.5-3.3%, and supporting net-zero emissions by 2050.

"The project also improves environmental and traffic safety by reducing pollution and accident risks. It promotes economic development and supports EU transport objectives by integrating global supply chains, facilitating goods movement to international markets, and building the resilience of the Baltic region."

The document added that the scheme will help address social equity by providing affordable transportation for 351,000 low-income residents and high-quality rail services for 59,000 passengers with reduced mobility.

Woman walks past railway construction site board

The scheme spans four countries (Image: Getty)

"Rail Baltica enhances regional defense and security by providing EU standard-gauge 1435mm infrastructure for passengers, freight, and military mobility," proponents said.

"It improves military logistics, increases traffic infrastructure capacity, and ensures compatibility with the 1435mm railway network."

By the end of 2025, construction was expected to have been underway on 43% of the Rail Baltica main line.

Marko Kivila, Chairman of the Management Board of the Baltic joint venture RB Rail AS said that in Estonia, active construction is currently ongoing on around 105km of embankment and related infrastructure.

In Lithuania, this was expected to reach 114km by the end of the year.

Although, in Latvia, construction was only at about 10km, with an aim to reach 45km by 2025's conclusion.