Golden Crutch: From Imanta to Riga Airport We Will Rush for 350 Million Euros 0 5

Khaki Trains

Any whims of the local authorities at the expense of taxpayers in Germany and the Netherlands can characterize the project "Ensuring the Continuity of Construction Works for the Rail Baltica Project from Riga Central Station to Riga Airport." This document from the Ministry of Communications has already been posted on the government portal of legal acts: "Latvia's resources are limited, so every investment must be responsible and well-considered."

"Creating a new railway connection is strategically important for military mobility, which reliably integrates the airport station into the existing railway network operationally and technically," emphasizes the ministry of Minister Aitis Shvinkis ("Progressives").

Of course, the technical features will not allow transporting armored vehicles from the RIX air harbor, but modern electric trains will be convenient for military personnel and "light equipment": "Using the railway, critically important personnel can be delivered directly to the necessary locations without using the road network."

"A number of infrastructure development projects with a military focus are already being implemented in the vicinity of RIX," reveals the Ministry of Communications. "A project is underway to build a new air traffic control tower at Riga Airport, improving air traffic management infrastructure and adapting it for dual use, that is, for both civilian and military purposes."

An aviation unit is stationed at the airport, providing logistical support to the NATO international brigade, and the airport regularly receives aircraft from NATO and allied countries delivering military cargo and personnel. A military base of the Canadian Armed Forces has been established near Riga Airport. A project for 10 new aircraft parking spaces covering 80,000 square meters – classes A-E, with maneuvering and servicing capabilities – is currently being implemented. A video surveillance system, stormwater drainage, and an electrical substation will be constructed for the new apron at the airfield. The total cost of the works is €23.85 million, half of which is funded by the European Union. And now most of the armed passengers arriving will be transported by rail – and on the old "Russian" gauge.

Each Wall – Its Own Source of Money

Thus, within the framework of the airport railway project, it is planned to construct:

• An overpass 1.2 km long, including 200 m at a height of 13 m;

• An embankment to Kārļa Ulmaņa gatve, 1.8 km long;

• A viaduct over K. Ulmaņa gatve, 115 m long, 11 m high, with a clearance of 6.5 m;

• An embankment to Zolitūdes street for tracks with a width of 1520 mm, 0.5 km long;

• Phase I of the airport station: Level 1 – entrance and technical rooms, Level 2 – ticket sales, waiting areas, elevator, escalator, Level 3 – platforms.

• A railway track 1520 mm wide, 3.7 km long;

• Access roads to and from the airport;

• Stops before the station – Kiss & Ride (for passenger drop-off), taxi stand.

Is It Possible to Harness Everything into One Cart?

As for the timeline, the planned transport hub is expected to be implemented from 2026 to the end of 2028. Importantly, traffic on it will be carried out in cooperation with JSC Latvijas Dzelzceļš (Latvian Railways) and LLC Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas (European Railway Lines). The latter was originally intended solely for the operation of the high-speed Rail Baltic highway with the "European" gauge of 1435 mm. But the line from Imanta to the airport, costing approximately one hundred million for each km of track, will be built on the wide gauge.

In Shvinkis's office, they swear that this time they will not miss a single euro: "The Ministry of Communications ensures enhanced oversight of investments in the railway sector co-financed from EU funds and notes significant risks, proactively and promptly advancing necessary solutions to prevent the loss of EU funding."

The matter is now in the hands of official Riga, which needs to obtain approval from the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the EU (DG REGIO), "where funding for the project is planned to be included." "The Latvian side, we are confident in the national ministry, has fulfilled the necessary preliminary conditions."

But the main thing here is to correctly coordinate the aforementioned works on the reconstruction of the airport itself and the road to it. Otherwise, warns the Ministry of Communications, there is a risk of double financing! "According to the decisions of the construction project... a part of the property belonging to the airport has been alienated," which affects the economic activity of the air harbor. 158,410 square meters, or more than 15 hectares of airport area, have already been transferred to LLC Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas. But here the state is, so to speak, shifting from one pocket to another – because both this LLC and the airport are state enterprises. Here we still have a state and planned economy, the losses of which are covered by taxpayers.

How to Assemble the Transport Puzzle

Interestingly, the works on expanding the airport apron have their own schedule, everything must be completed by December 31, 2027, and the acceptance is carried out by... the construction administration of the Marupe municipality. What an honor it is to be assigned to such a strategic object.

And here it is important not to forget that the lighting mast for this very apron for guests from NATO countries will stand on the Rail Baltica embankment, through which electrical and low-voltage networks will also be extended. Next year, 100% of the piles for the overpass must be driven, and steel beams must be fully ordered. "Further construction works will proceed with the installation of the deck... on the upper level of the overpass, railway infrastructure LDz 1520 mm."

In other words, it will be necessary to connect two railway carriers, plus the capital airport, and above all – the European Commission. Whether all this will hold together at some stage will be shown in the next couple of years.

How Much It Costs

The project financing will be phased. A total of €350.57 million is planned to be spent:

• The most expensive item – €171.9 million, will be for the railway overpass, the supporting reinforced concrete structures of the station building, and access roads to the airport, funded by the European Union.

• From the EU Cohesion Fund – €133.26 million will cover the external and internal finishing of the station building, the embankment from the airport to the viaduct on K. Ulmaņa gatve and to the Imanta station.

• Finally, €45.41 million will go towards the construction of the overpass from Ziemelu to Maza Gramzdas street.