On Wednesday, the 24th of January, the European Commission announced results of the third Military Mobility projects application submission run for support from Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). A total of 38 projects from 18 EU member states were supported, including the decision to allocate EUR 51.55 million for Rail Baltica project’s priority activities in Latvia.
The report from the Ministry of Transport mentions that the third round of Military Mobility projects was announced on the 3rd of May 2023. By the 21st of September the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency had received 112 project suggestions, including one for Rail Baltica project in Latvia. It will be prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, European Railway Lines and RB Rail JSC.
Funding equal to 50% of the project’s expected costs will be provided towards Rail Baltica combined road and railway bridge over Daugava River,
the new two-level crossing over Daugava River in Salaspils and Ķekava. The combined bridge over Daugava River is one of the most complicated Rail Baltica railway infrastructure objects and it will play an important role in connecting Baltic States with Europe, the ministry’s report mentions.
“Rail Baltica project’s priorities in Latvia will be implemented by European Railway Lines and RB Rail, which were previously provided with the relevant technical competence by the Ministry of Transport. Construction work is planned to commence once design work is completed and coordinated wit Rail Baltica’s programme,” the ministry adds.
The signing of the contract with CEF regarding the financing for Rail Baltica project priorities in Latvia is expected to happen in June 2024.
Rail Baltica had previously received financing to enhance the project’s military capacity in the first Military Mobility round. On the 8th of August 2022 the Ministry of Transport signed a contract with European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency regarding the project’s priority activities. Funding was taken from CEF Military mobility financing for 2021-207 financial planning period, allocating EUR 5.29 million.
The ministry reports that this funding was used to ensure design work of the combined Daugava bridge’s road section and design monitoring, as well as design work for Salaspils multi-modal freight terminal and the freight park and related infrastructure at Riga International Airport.
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