Latvian Railway opens second track on east–west link

Latvia’s railway operator VAS Latvijas dzelzceļš (Latvian Railway) has opened a second track on the 56-kilometre Skriveri–Krustpils section of the east–west railway corridor linking the Baltic Sea ports of Riga and Ventspils with Russia and Belarus.

“The modernisation will increase the safety and double the throughput capacity of the corridor. It is an important step in the development of Latvia’s railway infrastructure”, says Ugis Magonis, President of Latvian Railway.

The annual cargo traffic volume in the Skriveri–Krustpils section has totalled about 24 million tonnes in recent years, which accounted for 97% of the infrastructure capacity.

The project’s total budget exceeded EUR 100 million. Construction started in 2011 and included the overhaul of engineering facilities, such as bridges, drainage canals and railway crossings, as well as the refurbishment of railway stations on the route.

“Building a new second track where the historical track once ran has been our biggest railway infrastructure project so far. We have also built a bridge over the river Aiviekste from the ground up. And it was the first new railway bridge built in Latvia since the restoration of independence”, says Mr Magonis.

“This is the major line for railway transit through Latvia. The long-awaited project was, therefore, of critical importance and very thoroughly organised. Its results will let our company work more efficiently and secure stable revenue for the state budget. It will also help continue the development of the railway branch as a whole. Our passengers will definitely appreciate the reconstructed platforms and revamped station areas.”

The Skriveri–Krustpils stretch is part of a railway line running from Riga via Daugavpils and then east towards Moscow, completed as far back as in 1861. Even then, the volume of traffic was so high that it was constructed with two parallel tracks. The line was nearly completely destroyed in the world wars that razed most of Latvia to the ground.

The post-war reconstruction was limited to restoring one track. Building the second track has now become possible thanks to financing from the EU Cohesion Fund and a loan from NIB.

Since 2010, NIB has provided three loans, totalling EUR 42.8 million, for this project. The Bank sees the economic effect of this investment as bringing reductions in transit costs for a larger region. The development of railway infrastructure helps to crowd out fossil-fuelled road transport and improves traffic safety.

The Latvijas dzelzceļš (Latvian Railway) concern is a fully state-owned company. The group manages Latvia’s railway infrastructure and operates cargo freight as well as international passenger rail traffic to and from Latvia.