Considering potential reductions in expenditure for the Rail Baltica project in Latvia
The Rail Baltica project in Latvia, a key part of a single-track, electrified railway line connecting Tallinn to the Lithuania-Poland border, is progressing under a phased implementation plan. The aim is to complete this first phase by 2030, pending unanimous EU Member State approval.
Construction activities, including earthworks and railbed preparation near Iecava, are already underway. However, the projects and corresponding building permits have been significantly delayed, and the Minister of Finance, Arvils Aszeradens, has emphasized the need to start the southern line at a reasonable cost due to commitments to both the European Commission and partners.
One of the plans involves changing several two-level crossings by raising the highway. The combined road and rail bridge over the Daugava River near Salaspils, one of the largest projects in the first phase, is being reconsidered to keep costs under half a billion. Despite this, specific details on its current status or cost are not publicly detailed in the current data.
Kristine Malnaca, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport, stated that work on the first ten kilometres and four building permits is expected to begin by June. However, the land for the Skulte maintenance point, which will serve as a base for construction materials, has not been expropriated yet, causing a delay. The Skulte maintenance point construction plans are ready, but work has been postponed for a year due to a €4 million shortfall for construction supervision.
In an effort to reduce costs, simpler solutions are being sought due to limited financial possibilities. The updated cost of the first round project, including the Skulte maintenance point, has not yet been published but will be ready by the end of the month. Rough estimates suggest that saving up to 100 million euros, or about a fifth of the total cost, could be achieved on the first 40 kilometres of the high-speed railway.
Plans are in place to review the project solutions prepared by RB Rail, a Baltic joint venture responsible for the design process. Responsibility for the design process has so far rested with RB Rail, which has been criticized for failing to take reality into account.
Funds have already been allocated from the military mobility fund for the construction of the bridge supports. However, the Minister of Finance has no comment on the cost estimates and sees no possibility of allocating additional funds. The Estonians have announced that they are short of half a billion for their part of the first phase.
In conclusion, the Rail Baltica first phase in Latvia is actively progressing within the broader EU-backed phased plan aiming for completion by 2030. However, precise current status and estimated cost for certain projects, such as the Daugava River bridge near Salaspils, are not publicly detailed in the current data. Efforts are being made to find more cost-effective solutions and review the project designs to ensure the project stays within budget.
- The reconsideration of the combined road and rail bridge over the Daugava River near Salaspils is aimed at keeping the project's costs under half a billion, as part of the initiative to reduce costs for the Rail Baltica project in Latvia.
- RB Rail, a Baltic joint venture responsible for the design process of the Rail Baltica project, has been criticized for failing to take reality into account, and plans are in place to review the project solutions prepared by them.
- The Estonians have announced a shortage of half a billion for their part of the first phase of the Rail Baltica project, making it necessary for the project to seek cost-effective solutions and improve financial planning to stay within budget.
