EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Railways, Transport

The new project implementation model stipulates that one company - RB Rail - will be responsible for design and construction works in Latvia. Consolidation of design and construction functions in one company will ensure clear distribution of responsibility, more efficient coordination and faster progress in the project. This model should be introduced by the end of 2020.

At present, design and construction of the Riga Central Train Terminal and terminals at the International Airport Riga have been handed over to Eiropas Dzelzcelu Linijas, but in the future this will be responsibility of joint venture RB Rail, while all signed agreements and all launched procurements will be implemented.

Rail Baltica is a trans-border project, therefore Latvia has to coordinate all changes in the implementation model with Estonia and Lithuania.

Rail Baltica is a double track, European standard 1,435 mm gauge electrified railway for passenger and freight transport to be built from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border. The overall length of the railway will be 870 kilometers.

The initial cost of the project was estimated at EUR 5.8 billion, with a portion of the costs being financed through EU funds. The project was expected to be completed and open for traffic in 2026.