By optimizing the sound walls, “Rail Baltica” will save up to 700 million, “RB Rail” wants a state loan for the main line / Article

The “Rail Baltica” project was introduced in Latvia by the chairman of the board of the “European Railway Line” (EDZL) Āriks Diļevs on Wednesday in the program “What is happening in Latvia?” explained that a foreign consultant was hired for an optimization cost assessment. His job is to review building design management requirements. Also, in collaboration with builders, ways are being sought to reduce construction costs by changing technical solutions.

“For example, changing only the structure of the flyover at the airport “Riga”, which is also according design guidelinesbecause they are not limited to one particular type of construction, we have already saved 11 million.”

This saving is relatively small compared to the amounts that could be saved by reviewing a previously selected sound wall solution. By reducing the permitted noise level to the level planned for the rest of the Baltic States, that is, 55 decibels, it would be possible to reduce the projected costs by 450- 500 million euros in the northern part of the route “Rail Baltica”. alone On the other hand, by using the improved solution all the way, the savings could reach 600-700 million euros, according to the president of the EDZL board.

Currently, the projected costs of the first phase of “Rail Baltica” exceed 6.4 billion euros, but the CEF and European Union (EU) military transfer funding has been allocated to the project so far, in addition to the planned co-financing from the state budget. , only about 1.4 billion euros. Almost 31% of this money has already been spent.

“RB Rail” board member Kitty Grushkevics admitted in the debate that the search for a private investor could last for several more years, therefore, at the same time as “lobbying” for the allocation of additional funds in Brussels in the 2027-2028. In 2018, the money needed for the construction of the main line could also be sought in the state budget.

“It must be agreed that the Ministry of Finance will provide this loan – 300 million – to build the main line at least in 2027-2028.”

Andris Kulbergs, MP against the “United List”, Chairman of the Parliamentary Audit Commission and Chairman of the EDZL Board confirmed that funds from the state budget will be needed for the further implementation of the project, for example, for construction management. and continuous planning.

At the same time, the Minister of Finance Arvils Asheradens emphasized that there is no money in the state budget for the construction of “Rail Baltica” in the coming years. “I don’t see any money there in the next four years. No,” he said.

True, the Ministry of Finance could approve the redistribution of EU funds, which would allow the construction of the main route “Rail Baltica” towards Estonia to direct additional funding of around 400 million euros.

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