Fencing the Entire Railway Would Require Huge Costs - LDz 0 14

The company explained that funds would be needed not only for the construction of fences but also for their subsequent maintenance.

LDz emphasized that fences are an important element of safety; however, they cannot completely prevent deliberate violations or risky behavior by people on the railway. Therefore, educational activities are also of great importance. The company regularly conducts safety information campaigns and gives lectures in educational institutions.

In 2022, with co-financing from the European Union, a project was launched to construct fences and pedestrian crossings at railway infrastructure facilities. It was planned to equip the most dangerous areas in Riga and the suburbs, where there is a high intensity of train traffic and a large flow of pedestrians. However, the contractor did not fulfill the contractual obligations, so in 2023, LDz unilaterally terminated the contract.

The company also noted that local governments and road services play an important role in ensuring safety. According to regulations, it is the road owners who are responsible for maintaining access to railway crossings. Therefore, improving safety in populated areas requires joint efforts from railway workers, municipalities, road services, and other participants in the process.

LDz reports that within the existing funding, it is continuously implementing technical improvements and modernizing infrastructure. In particular, the surface at crossings is gradually being updated, and guiding structures of the "maze" type are being installed to regulate pedestrian movement. At the most dangerous crossings, light and sound signals are being installed, and in certain places, fences are being built.

In 2025, the company updated the catalog of pedestrian crossings, which includes more than 500 facilities. For each of them, parameters such as visibility, surface condition, train speed, and pedestrian flow intensity are assessed. Based on this data, as well as the proximity to schools and other factors, priority objects for modernization are determined. By the end of 2027, it is planned to update 45 crossings.

Currently, active development of construction projects and procurement of necessary materials is underway. Part of the expenses is covered by the electrified railway network modernization project, while the remaining part is from the LDz budget.

By July 2026, it is planned to put into temporary operation 12 railway crossings and one pedestrian crossing on the Lielvarde–Skrīveri and Torņakalns–Jelgava sections. These works are being carried out as part of the project to increase train speed. During the implementation of the project, certain sections of the railway tracks are also being fenced off.

By 2029, as part of the project connecting Riga Airport with the city center, additional safety measures will be implemented on the Torņakalns–Imanta and Jāņavārti–Ogre sections. Moreover, safety enhancement measures are planned on the Sloka–Tukums II section. The exact number of upgraded crossings and transitions will be known after the design phase is completed, tentatively at the end of 2027.

The company emphasizes that safety remains one of LDz's main priorities, so the work on modernizing railway crossing points will continue in phases, taking into account risk assessments and available funding.

LDz also noted that it constantly monitors opportunities for attracting external funding. Currently, as part of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan, a project for the modernization of the electrified railway network is being implemented, which includes not only technical updates but also safety enhancement measures.

According to the company, further projects to improve safety will also depend on the availability of European funds and the conditions of relevant funding programs.

It was previously reported that the turnover of the LDz group last year amounted to 201.2 million euros, which is 13.9% less than the previous year. At the same time, the group's losses decreased fivefold to 7.8 million euros.

The turnover of LDz itself in 2025 amounted to 142.5 million euros, which is 8.1% less than the figure for 2024. Before receiving compensation payments, the company's turnover was 118 million euros, and losses reached 25.7 million euros.