Prolonged and intense rainfall in the Latgale region this summer is significantly affecting the pace of construction on Latvia’s eastern border with Russia and Belarus. This is making it difficult to access project sites and deliver heavy equipment, especially in swampy and remote areas, says Jeļena Gavrilova, a member of the board of State Real Estate (VNĪ).
According to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, the amount of rainfall in some border regions has continuously exceeded the monthly norm by more than 100% since May, creating high humidity, mud and water accumulation at construction sites.
The work is being carried out in difficult and challenging conditions, which often require special access infrastructure – for example, footbridges, pontoons or wooden coverings. In some places, access for equipment is not possible, so work can only continue when the weather conditions stabilize.
From May of this year until now, the weather conditions have been particularly unfavorable – at best, there have been only four days without rain. However, even on these days, work could not always resume, because the level of soil and ground moisture was so high that the equipment was simply unable to move. In order to resume full-fledged work, it is primarily necessary to wait for the water level at the construction sites to decrease to a level that allows for safe work.
“Our team continues to work even in very challenging conditions – in swampy and hard-to-reach areas,
where delivery and installation are difficult. Safety in our work always comes first, and the high water level currently does not allow us to ensure adequately safe working conditions. The construction of the eastern border of the state is a safety priority, and work will continue at full capacity as soon as weather conditions allow. Currently, flexible work planning and resource regrouping are underway to make the most efficient use of the times when work is possible,” emphasizes Jelena Gavrilova, member of the State Real Estate Board.
Despite the difficulties, approximately 250 kilometers of the border fence have already been built on the Latvian-Russian border sections, and the construction of the fence in this direction is nearing completion – only 19 kilometers remain, the construction period of which is related to weather conditions. Four cable-stayed bridges over the Zilupe, Ludza, Liepna and Rītupe rivers have also been put into operation. The construction of the fence on the Latvian-Belarusian border has been completed, and the construction of the bypass roads is currently ongoing, especially in the vicinity of Lake Riči, in order to connect the already established infrastructure sections and ensure the prompt movement of border guards.
State Real Estate continues to cooperate closely with builders and other involved institutions in order to promptly adapt to changing conditions and ensure the continuity of the project as much as possible.
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