Construction of railway in Latvia

Latvia has reached a pivotal milestone in the Rail Baltica initiative by commencing construction of its mainline. This event was celebrated on May 21 in Riga, with the attendance of the Rail Baltica team, representatives from the European Commission, and international partners from France, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia. A time capsule containing messages to future generations was embedded at the construction site to commemorate the occasion.

Key Highlights of the Event and Statements

Importance and Geopolitical Significance: Kaspars Briškens, Latvia's Minister of Transport, emphasized the project's crucial role in providing a rapid and reliable link between the Baltic region and Western Europe, particularly given the current geopolitical climate. He underscored the objective of completing the cross-border connection, including Riga, during the initial phase of Rail Baltica by 2030. Briškens noted that the essential preliminary work has been completed and that the ensuing tasks are now ready to be handed over to skilled builders. He extended his best wishes to the partner teams from France, Italy, and Poland.

European Collaboration: French Minister of Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, highlighted the project's contribution to constructing a "Europe of trains," a vision articulated by French President Emmanuel Macron. Riester expressed pride in showcasing France's expertise in the rail sector alongside Latvian and European partners, contributing to a more robust, sustainable, and unified Europe.

Construction and Oversight: The national implementing body in Latvia, Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, has commissioned the joint venture ERB Rail JV to supervise the construction of approximately 230 km of the mainline railway. This extensive project includes 175 engineering structures, 11 animal crossings, 42 viaducts, 81 road bridges, and 32 rail bridges. Ēriks Diļevs, Chairman of the Management Board of Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, highlighted Latvia's considerable experience from prior construction projects at RIX Riga Airport and the Riga Central Hub. He expressed confidence in tackling this new phase with the support of capable partners.

Progress and Future Success: The initiation of the Rail Baltica mainline construction marks a tangible advancement in the project's progression. Marko Kivila, Interim Chairperson of the Management Board of RB Rail AS, noted that over 150 km of the mainline would be under construction this year. He acknowledged the remaining milestones and challenges, emphasizing that future success will hinge on the collaboration among various project partners and contractors. Kivila extended his best wishes to the newly on-boarded partners and all the teams involved.

The Rail Baltica project's advancement, symbolized by the start of mainline construction, demonstrates a collective ambition to enhance connectivity and cooperation across Europe.