In the tender announced by Latvian state company Valsts nekustamie īpašumi (VNĪ) to reinforce the border infrastructure on the Latvian-Russian border the most economically viable offer was submitted by Citrus Solutions and Hagberg Construction.
The two companies were entrusted with the installation of a fence on 16 km and 12.5 km sections of the border. As reported by VNĪ board chairman Renārs Griškevičs, Citrus Solutions offered to do the job for EUR 7.54 million, and Hadberg Constructions – for EUR 7.27 million.
The price comparison in the two remaining lots was discontinued because the offers submitted by contenders had exceeded the estimated costs. The price survey for the construction of the fence in those lots will be repeated. Before then, however, officials will add changes to the technical specification of the tender. The maximum contract completion term is 52 calendar weeks after the contract’s signing.
Griškevičs reports that
construction on the Latvian-Russian border will soon recommence again.
This means a fence will be erect in locations were there was no fence in the past. Griškevičs also said this year a construction company will be found for all required portions of the border. It is planned for construction work to be completed within the estimated terms.
A total of ten offers were received for the construction of a fence on multiple sections of the border. Their review is underway. All work is divided into 14 lots. The maximum completion term for this contract is 44 calendar weeks. Still, contenders can also submit offers with a shorter completion term.
VNĪ has also performed an audit of the situation along 180 km of the border that previously has no fence. This helped determine the situation in the area, which helps with accurate planning of construction work, deforestation included. Audit results will be used in the future – specifically for the preparation of technical specifications for border infrastructure installation.
Looking back at the experience of installation of relevant infrastructure on the Latvian-Belarusian border, officials performed a study of animal migration trails close to the border. There are 15 migration trails important to herbivores identified on the border so far. To make migration easier for animals, special gates will be installed. Currently Latvia’s state security is the priority, so they will remain closed for at least several years. If the geopolitical situation changes, it is possible the overall regime could be softened and border control may be entrusted to smart technologies.
The Latvian-Russian border is 283.6 km long.
Currently VNĪ’s priority is completing the already initiated infrastructure installation and the construction of a fence in areas where isn’t one now. It is planned for the construction of the fence on the border to be completed by the end of 2024. Completion of the remaining border infrastructure is planned by the year 2025.
There is currently approximately 180 km of fenced territory on the Latvian-Russian border and at least 53 km of border security infrastructure. A major portion of the Russian border is already deforested, which allows for the construction of the fence to be performed more quickly.
Supervision of the border reinforcement project is performed by the External Border Infrastructure Construction Supervision Committee, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development, State Border Guard, Provision State Agency, Latvian State Radio and Television Centre, VNĪ, Latvian State Forests, Latvia Geospatial Information Agency and National Armed Forces.
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