“Rail Baltica Bridge Construction in Riga: Updates and Progress”

It is planned to start the first construction works of the “Rail Baltica” bridge over the Daugava already this year, reports Andis Linde, head of relations between the parties involved in the general company “BERERIX”. On the other hand, the construction of several railway overpasses and their related infrastructure is already underway in the center of Riga.

“Delfi Bizness” already reported that the builders are currently working hard to open one side of the Brasa bridge for tram traffic by the XXVII General Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival, while the entire bridge reconstruction project can be completed by autumn. At the same time, reconstruction projects of four Riga bridges and overpasses are being developed by order of the Riga municipality (you can read about them below), other ambitious infrastructure objects are being prepared. In parallel, construction works related to “Rail Baltica” continue. Therefore, both Riga residents and guests have to expect inconveniences and possible traffic jams.

Describing the progress of the construction of overpass bridges related to “Rail Baltica” in the center of Riga, Linde reveals that the overpass has already been built on Lāčplēša Street, on Dzirnavu Street work on the construction of the overpass has already begun with concreting of the end supports, and the assembly of the span beams will begin in July of this year on Gogoļa Street the southern side of the historic overpass has now been completely dismantled, the last piles have been built and construction work on the western side’s basic structures has begun, the end support has been built on the eastern side.

“We have already built 6 spans of the overpass at the Riga International Bus Station. We will build two more spans in June, and the span over Prāgas Street – in the fall after the completion of the Riga City Council projects. In the future, a high-speed train will run over these overpasses, but during the reconstruction of the northern side of the station, they will serve the “Latvijas Dzelzceļa” ” and for the needs of “Passenger train”, explains the representative of “BERERIX”.

Also, it is planned to start the first construction works of the “Rail Baltica” bridge over the Daugava at the end of this year.

According to the pace of the projects implemented by the Riga City Council, which are related to the integration of “Rail Baltica” into the infrastructure of the city center, “BERERIX” works on the construction of the bridge will begin with the construction of the end support of the bridge and two supports and spans, one – in the dividing strip on the bank of General Radziņš, the other in the Daugava. Linde.

In the future, two tracks will lead across the bridge, as well as a more than three-meter wide emergency transport roadway, which could also be used by pedestrians and cyclists, is planned in the project. The cross-section of the bridge structure will be 17 meters wide, and the distance to the existing Railway Bridge will be between 5 and 10 meters. The total length of the bridge is 1.15 kilometers. There will be five exits from the bridge, including three ramps: from the Bus Station, on the waterfront of General Radziņas, as well as in Zaķusala, Mūkusalas and Jelgavas streets.

The “Rail Baltica” bridge over the Daugava is planned to be built within less than three years from the start of construction works. “It should be noted that already in 2019, “BERERIX” carried out various research works, including the study of the Daugava bed for the construction of the supports of this bridge,” emphasizes the representative of the general company.

He reminds that the financing for the implementation of the project is received in certain lots or on the basis of invitations, therefore “BERERIX” is currently building those parts of the project for which financing is available. “As a result, we also face situations when funding does not keep up with the pace of construction. The planned completion date of the “European Railway” project is 2030, however, parts of the project in Riga will be opened sequentially in stages with the completion of construction works in the respective area,” says Linde.

The Belgian construction giant “BESIX Group”, the national builder “RERE Būve” and the Italian builder “Rizzani de Eccher” have joined the “BERERIX” general partnership with the aim of implementing an important part of the “Rail Baltica” project – the design and reconstruction of the Riga Central Railway Station complex, a new European design and construction of a gauge rail and railway bridge over the Daugava, embankment and adjacent infrastructure.