"The time when it was necessary to assess or, more precisely, reassess the feasibility of the 'Rail Baltica' project has long passed. Now it is time to minimize losses," writes Aivars Strakshas on the Pietiek.com portal.
The need for reassessment should have occurred before the contract for the construction of the central railway station in Riga was signed, when it became clear that the construction of the station would be twice as expensive as planned, and there was no funding. Instead, the responsible officials switched to 'fool mode' and continue to act.
There can be no talk of any economic feasibility of the 'Rail Baltica' project with the current planned costs. Therefore, efforts are made to avoid discussing it. At the same time, there is a lack of funds to implement this political project.
If there is no economic feasibility, it will have to be financed and perpetually supported at the expense of other areas. Most likely, at the expense of projects under the control of the Ministry of Transport. Investments in road infrastructure and improvements in the quality of roads can be forgotten.
'Rail Baltica' is too large for the economy of Latvia to be supported as a politically significant project. Therefore, it is logical and correct to question the feasibility of continuing the project.
A few words in defense of steam locomotives for comparison: '... will you travel at the speed of a steam locomotive?'
Even during the tsar's time, in 1913, a speed record of about 180 km/h was set during the testing of S-series locomotives in Daugavpils. This remains an unofficial record of the Baltic Railway to this day, although 113 years have passed.
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