Multi-modal Transport Hub for Rail Baltica designed by ZHA Multi-modal Transport Hub for Rail Baltica designed by ZHA Multi-modal Transport Hub for Rail Baltica designed by ZHA Multi-modal Transport Hub for Rail Baltica designed by ZHA

June 19, 2024

Multi-modal Transport Hub for Rail Baltica designed by ZHA

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A multi-modal transport hub for Tallinn’s commuters as well as international rail passengers as part of Rail Baltica project and air travellers using the adjacent Tallinn Airport, the Ülemiste Passenger Terminal is designed as a connecting bridge linking together districts of Tallinn currently separated by the railway tracks that dissect the city.

Rail Baltica is a greenfield rail transport infrastructure project with a goal to integrate the Baltic States in the European rail network. The project includes five European Union countries – Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and indirectly also Finland. It will connect Helsinki, Tallinn, Pärnu, Riga, Panevežys, Kaunas, Vilnius, Warsaw.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects the Tallinn’s Ülemiste terminal will be the northern terminus of the new 870-kilometre Rail Baltica electrified railway now under-construction. Providing passenger services at speeds up to 249km/h, this project will connect Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the European high-speed rail network in Poland.

Zaha Hadid Architects developed the design with leading Estonian architecture and engineering firm Esplan. Circulation routes through the terminal have determined the station’s spatial geometry to aid navigation and the seamless integration of the city’s bus, tram, rail and cycle networks that intersect at the terminus. Incorporating a modular structural system built in phases to enable ongoing operations on the rail lines throughout construction, the terminal has been designed and planned to BREEAM benchmarks and guidelines.

Estonia’s Climate Minister, Kristen Michal, said: “We have been dreaming of a fast connection to Europe. This is a landmark year in the construction of Rail Baltica – in addition to laying the cornerstone of the Ülemiste terminal, the construction of the main line has also begun. Building a hig- quality connection will provide a much=needed new opportunity for the Estonia’s people and its economy.”

Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility, Magda Kopczynska, said: “Rail Baltica is a European, Baltic and Estonian project. The Baltic States must be connected to the European rail network, both in order to ensure the security of supply chains, comfortable travel, economic development and, last but not least, our common European security. The European Commission has been and will remain a strong supporter of Rail Baltica.”

Chairman of the Rail Baltica Estonia management board, Anvar Salomets, said: “Until just a few years, we could not have believed that we could have celebrated. The implementation of the Rail Baltica project in Estonia has been both effective and efficient, and in four years’ time, we invite everyone to the opening of Rail Baltica Ülemiste terminal.”