The Latvian government has supported the intention of the Ministry of Transport to consolidate the implementation functions of the Rail Baltica project to RB Rail AS, the joint venture of all three Baltic states. Thus, faster, higher quality and more cost-effective project implementation in Latvia will be ensured.
On September 8, the government approved the informative report “On the Improvement of the Rail Baltica Project Implementation Model in Latvia” prepared by the Ministry of Transport of Latvia.
The new project implementation model outlines that one company will be responsible for the design and construction works in Latvia – the joint venture of the Baltic States, RB Rail AS. Consolidation of the design and construction functions to one company will ensure a clear division of responsibilities, more efficient coordination and faster project implementation. It is planned to implement the model by the end of 2020.
Currently, the Ministry of Transport has delegated the implementation of design and construction activities of Riga Central Station and Riga International Airport stations to Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas Ltd; in future, these responsibilities will be delegated to the Joint Venture, maintaining all contractual relations and continuing all ongoing procurements.
Rail Baltica is a cross-border project, therefore changes in the Latvian project implementation model must be coordinated with Estonia and Lithuania.