Island of Misfortune: The Bridge in Riga is Almost Built, but Infrastructure is Lagging 0 10

Your author recently noted that the laying of strategic communications near the main terminal of the Riga Free Port is progressing at a rapid pace, and it is likely that the new route to the harbor will open in the fall, just before the elections.

Intended for the Best

Meanwhile, not everything is going smoothly with the complex being built on Kundzin'sala for the needs of the State Border Guard, the State Revenue Service, and the Food and Veterinary Service. Although 8,418,123 euros have been allocated for 2026 alone.

According to data recently published on the legal acts portal, only 33% of the investments in the construction of the future terminal have been realized in financial terms by the end of the first quarter of 2026. In April, equipment for X-ray cargo control was delivered.

"Concrete work, asphalting, and paving of parking lots have been carried out in the publicly developed area, and internal work is underway in the buildings. The planned new infrastructure is expected to be put into operation by the end of 2026. Active operation is planned to begin on April 1, 2027, after addressing possible defects, equipping the buildings with equipment, etc., as well as conducting preparatory work for the start of operation," states the document presented by the Ministry of Finance of Latvia.

In an Uncertain Future

The operation of the terminal will also require a transport queue management system, which is to be provided by the Latvian Television and Radio Center. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for this; however, as indicated in the information, the new tools "are planned for an indefinite period in the future."

Although the cost of the issue until the first quarter of 2027 is only 235,950 euros including VAT. Plus 20-25% of this amount for infrastructure maintenance.

And this is a crucial issue: according to the government assignment "On Strengthening Latvia's External Border," the control of trucks leaving the customs zone onto the country's roads must "preventively protect against hybrid attacks, provocations...".

Moreover, in the new complex located at Uriestkes Street 42B, there will also be a canine unit, and dogs are animals with special needs.

Two Options

Despite all this, there is not the slightest response in government circles to the question of what needs such large-scale investments are being made against the backdrop of a dying transit.

There are two mutually exclusive options:

• either peace and prosperity will soon come to Eastern Europe, sanctions will be lifted, and transit will flow freely;

• or there will be such a struggle for peace that not a stone will be left unturned. And then the terminal will be needed for military cargo.

But the volumes that NATO sends to us are not inspected by customs. So savings can be made on that.