The implementation of Rail Baltica project remains a priority of Latvia’s Ministry of Transport. The government plans to divert EUR 174.7 million from the 2024 state budget towards this project. EUR 115.3 million of this amount is EUR funding, the ministry stresses.
The main emphasis will be put on designing Rail Baltica’s main railway track and continuation of construction work, the ministry reports.
“Rail Baltica project is in its construction phase in all three Baltic States. The goal is to connect Baltic States with Poland by the year 2030. This includes Riga’s integration in the railway line in the first construction phase. We will commence the first construction work in the priority southern direction using allocated financing in Latvia. At the same time, we will continue designing the main railway track, which is a critical requirement to continue large-scale construction work. Additional funding will help complete design work by the end of next year,” explains Latvian Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens.
Construction work related to Riga Central Hub and its related infrastructure will continue next year,
because Riga’s integration is an integral part of Rail Baltica, the ministry explains. In 2024 it is planned to use EUR 65 million on the third stage of construction work. Financing will provide a possibility to continue work in the southern portion of Riga’s Central Hub and commence construction of the railway system, including the installation of tracks and connecting network, railway signalling and engineering networks.
It is also planned to commence construction of a new Rail Baltica railway bridge on the right bank of Daugava River.
In the Riga Central Railway Station’s zone it is planned to commence construction engineering networks, continue construction of the roof, as well as commence installation of escalators and elevators, as well as other landscaping work. Next year it’s planned to complete construction of load-bearing structures of the station, as well as station transmission and platform construction work.
The additional funding amount in 2024 will reach EUR 20.7 million to finance alienation of real estate property necessary for construction work.
Latvia will continue design work for the establishment of 16 regional mobility points, Salaspils Intermodal Logistics Centre, Skulte Infrastructure Maintenance Point and Rail Baltica passenger rolling stock maintenance point in Jaunmārupe. These tasks will receive investments of EUR 8.1 million from the 2024 state budget.
Additional funding is planned or the development of “Rail Baltica” traffic control centre in Latvia feasibility study. The traffic control centre will ensure the organisation of train movement in Latvia, including the Rail Baltica network.
Also read: In Estonia: Rail Baltica will not pay off financially
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