The Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) has confirmed that the environmental assessment of the Rail Baltica route on the Tootsi-Pärnu section meets all requirements. This decision paves the way for the construction of this railway segment, ensuring a balance between modern infrastructure and environmental protection. The 320-metre-long route crosses the Pärnu River and passes through forest areas, agricultural land and an industrial area, integrating with existing transport corridors.
The project includes measures to minimise the impact on nature, including noise barriers, ecoducts and special structures to protect rare species. The Natura 2000 assessment has shown that the construction will not have a significant negative impact on natural areas, including the Pärnu jõe and Rääma raba areas. Ecosystem conservation has been a key aspect of the planning, and the construction of the bridge over the Pärnu River is designed to protect the four protected fish species and freshwater mollusc populations that live there.
The approval of the TTJA means that the Rail Baltica project on the Tootsi-Pärnu section will be further developed, contributing to improving transport accessibility and increasing mobility in the region. In addition, the integration with the existing infrastructure and environmental protection measures make this project an important step towards the sustainable development of the Estonian transport network.