Bauska municipality expresses concern over the progress of Rail Baltica construction
In the heart of Latvia, the much-anticipated Rail Baltica project is gearing up for a significant milestone. Construction of the Rail Baltica track itself is set to begin in the Mārupe municipality, with work already underway outside Rīga, near the airport, and no damaged roads reported thus far.
The project, estimated to cost EUR 4.5 billion for its initial phase in Latvia, faces a funding gap of EUR 4 billion, with only EUR 520 million currently available. Despite this challenge, project leaders remain optimistic, with Jankuna expressing that the situation may change when construction begins.
To ensure adherence to contracts and correctness, the project has a contract with FIDIC engineers. This agreement holds contractors responsible for any damage to infrastructure, such as roads, and requires prompt repairs to prevent further deterioration.
The construction process is structured, with 11 building permits for the southern section of the project. Work has commenced on the first four permits, covering an 11-kilometer section. In addition, a base for infrastructure maintenance has been established near Iecava, serving as a future hub for maintenance and operations.
The European Commission has provided significant funding, including €153.3 million, to support the construction and ensure the project's smooth progression. This funding is crucial in covering necessary costs related to infrastructure management and improvement.
Collaboration with local authorities is also a key aspect of managing the project. Municipal concerns about road damage and noise are being addressed, with Bauska municipality expressing concerns about potential impacts on local roads and resident mobility.
Aivars Mačeks, Okmanis' deputy and party colleague, has expressed concern that municipal roads may suffer during the construction of the railway tracks. However, residents in the Mārupe municipality have not complained about the construction work.
The council leadership in Mārupe is now confident that the work will not be interrupted. The municipality has invested residents' money in improving roads, and they are determined to ensure these improvements are not compromised during the construction process.
Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas (EDzL) emphasizes that construction is well-controlled, with no major issues reported so far. As the Rail Baltica project moves forward, it continues to prioritize collaboration, funding, and infrastructure management to deliver a successful and sustainable rail network for Latvia and the Baltic region.
- The Rail Baltica project, in the midst of planning a significant milestone, secured a contract with FIDIC engineers to ensure adherence to contracts and correctness, with the contractors being held responsible for any damage to infrastructure like roads and required to perform prompt repairs to prevent further deterioration.
- In an effort to address municipal concerns about road damage and noise, the Rail Baltica project is collaborating closely with local authorities, particularly Bauska municipality, which has expressed concerns about potential impacts on local roads and resident mobility, while residents in the Mārupe municipality have not yet reported any complaints about construction work.
