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Rail Baltica Project Moves Forward: Riga Central Station Phase 2B Approved

Green light for Riga Central Station's southern part. €114.6 million secured to keep Rail Baltica on schedule.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
In this image in the middle there is a train. At the bottom there is platform and text. On the left...
In this image in the middle there is a train. At the bottom there is platform and text. On the left there is a building, roof, pillar and platform. At the top there are buildings, roof, cables and sky.

Rail Baltica Project Moves Forward: Riga Central Station Phase 2B Approved

The Rail Baltica project's national promoter, Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas Ltd (EDzL), has been instructed to promptly commence work on the southern part of Riga Central Station. This move aims to prevent delays in the ambitious project, which will eventually redirect train traffic to the new section upon completion.

The decision follows expert opinions from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, which deemed the costs of Part 2B of the Central Station reasonable and consistent with similar projects in other countries. The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated €114.6 million for financing, with €74.4 million redirected from the emission-free rail infrastructure development project and €40.23 million from the metrobus project.

The amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers' Regulation No 190 of April 11, 2023, also allow for the use of the Recovery Fund to complete and operate the southern part of the station. This will enable the start of passenger train services with a 1520 mm track gauge. Pre-financing of €13.3 million has been provided for preliminary works and materials with long delivery times, such as the roofing. The national project implementer, Latvijas Dzelzceļš, is responsible for starting the investment project to avoid missing the deadline by August 31, 2026. The financing is intended to complete the station part (Phase 2B), which is crucial for the completion of the railway infrastructure works in the station area (Phase 2C2), fully financed by the Connecting Europe Facility for Infrastructure (CEF9).

With the necessary funding secured and the green light from European experts, EDzL must now swiftly proceed with the southern part of Riga Central Station. The successful completion of this phase will pave the way for the final railway infrastructure works and the commencement of passenger train services, bringing the Rail Baltica project one step closer to reality.

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