On Tuesday, the 3rd of January, Latvia’s Minister of Transport Jānis Vitenbergs met with the leadership of RB Rail JSC and European Railway Lines. The minister ordered explanations about the problems with Rail Baltica project, as confirmed by the ministry.
After the meeting the minister said concerns about the severity of the situation have been confirmed. He ordered sides involved in the project to prepare an action plan to resolve the problems and gave them two weeks to present it to him.
«Considering what I heard to day, I have to conclude that the project suffers from severe delays. Covid-19, Russian-Ukrainian war and other factors are not the only reasons for delays: there are also various problems with the project’s management and related regulations. Rail Baltica railway line is our generation’s biggest infrastructure project in Baltic States. Connection with western Europe is an important economic and security aspect,» stressed Vitenbergs.
RB Rail JSC board chairman and CEO Agnis Driksna said there have been multiple processes that have slowed it over the years. However, he said rapid progression of the project is of vital importance.
Among the complications are problems with designs, the long and complicated land alienation process, as well as problems with access to EU funding.
«These are the main reasons why we are unlikely to meet the previously mentioned deadline of 2025. It is more likely we will complete the project in 2030. We are aware of the severity of the situation and we respect the minister’s request for a more detailed plan, especially considering matters of national security. To prevent the identified problems, we will require assistance from other ministries and municipalities,» explained Driksna.
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