The full-scale construction of the overpass from Tvaika Street to Kundziņsala is currently under-way, and it is planned that the overpass will be put into operation at the beginning of 2026.
"Riga had and will have a port and industrial areas, but no thought has been given to a bypass to divert freight transport, which is an integral part of the city's economic lifeblood. The Kundziņsala overpass, together with the Eastern Highway and the Daudersala overpass, is part of Riga's inner bypass, which allows freight transport to be diverted away from the city centre to make it more convenient and pleasant for people to live, work, recreate and carry out other daily activities. Moreover, the overpass will open up new opportunities for the city to attract investors with really ambitious business plans. I am glad that the builders are working very actively - the plan to build the overpass within the next year is ambitious, but it looks like it could be feasible," said Vilnis Ķirsis, Chairman of the Riga City Council.
Currently, the overpass is undergoing the construction of utilities, pile driving, bridge piers and spans, streets and roads. The next works on site are planned to include the erection of steel spans and the embankment over Sarkandaugava.
According to the builders, the biggest challenges in the work process are that the construction is taking place in a narrow, restricted area and over water, which makes it difficult to assemble the structures, as well as planning the work so as not to interfere with the activities of the adjacent areas, including MAN-TESS Ltd. and the Freeport of Riga. This requires timetables, waiting areas, speed limits and other measures to minimise the impact on the environment.
The project is implemented in cooperation with the Freeport of Riga Authority. The City Council is implementing the construction of the overpass and will ensure its functioning by constructing the Kundziņsala overpass, while the Freeport, as a cooperation partner, is constructing the Kundziņsala part of the site and the connection with the overpass to the flyovers to and from the overpass.
Most of the construction works have already been carried out in the Kundziņsala area on behalf of the Freeport of Riga - connecting roads, squares, retaining walls, utilities, lighting poles have been built. Also, most of the infrastructure of the customs control post - the canopy and the building - has been built, and work is currently under-way to finish the interior and install the equipment. The estimated completion date for all works is the first half of 2025.
"Kundziņsala is now developing into an active warehousing and logistics centre, specialising mainly in containerised cargo. At the same time, several international investors have also expressed interest in the vacant industrial areas in Kundziņsala, considering them as a potential location for renewable energy projects, such as wind energy or wind energy components. The terminals of the port of Kundziņsala currently handle more than 1000 truck units per day," says Edgars Sūna, Deputy Manager for Port Development of the Freeport of Riga.
The construction project involves the construction of an 863.5 metre-long overpass connecting Kundziņsala and Tvaika Street. The overpass will connect Tvaika Street with the public territory of Kundziņsala and the industrial territory of the Freeport of Riga on both banks of the Sarkandaugava tributary, including crossing three railway tracks and a surface oil pipeline at two locations, and the Sarkandaugava tributary, according to the route plan, connecting sequentially to Tvaika Street and the previously constructed Daudersala overpass.
The project includes the construction of a pedestrian pavement, a network of bicycle and vehicle paths with technical traffic management equipment, as well as the installation of landscaping elements. The water supply will also be provided by the reconstruction of the existing storm sewerage system and the construction of new storm sewers and infiltration wells or gullies.
After the construction of the overpass, the residents and visitors of Riga will get a new overpass connecting Tvaika Street in Sarkandaugava and the Freeport of Riga area in Kundziņsala. The new overpass will play an important role in diverting freight traffic away from the city centre by creating bypass roads (connecting to the Daudersala overpass, the Eastern Highway, the Southern Bridge and Čakstes Avenue). The construction of the overpass also means a more orderly environment, which will contribute to people's well-being when moving around Kundziņsala and the Sarkandaugava area.
The total cost of the project is €82.6 million. The state budget subsidy is €23 million and the state budget loan is €59.6 million. Around
€36.7 million is to be paid this year, €38.8 million next year and around €7 million in 2026. The project is co-financed by the European Union - the CF funding is €4.5 million (beneficiary: Riga Freeport Authority).
Information was prepared by: Aira Ancāne, project coordinator of the Department of External Communications of Riga City Council Communication Department, email: aira.ancane@riga.lv
