It is planned that, in autumn this year, construction of the 4th stage of the Southern Bridge could start in Riga - with the first stage spanning construction of Jāņa Čakstes gatve from Valdeķu Street to Ziepniekkalna Street, and the second stage - from Vienības gatve to Valdeķu Street. This is a high readiness project of the Riga local government, for which the Cohesion Fund co-financing was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday, 23 July.
"Implementation of the fourth phase of the Southern Bridge is a project of great importance not only for the economic development of Riga, but of the entire Latvia, which is why we have persistently advocated for EU funding and argued the need for it to the Government. We have made all the preparations to make this the high readiness project as it is today. The fourth phase of the Southern Bridge will connect Bauskas Street with Jelgava Highway and significantly improve traffic, making it safer and more efficient, especially for servicing industrial areas and freight transport. By building the fourth phase of the Southern Bridge and the Kundziņsala flyover, the construction works of which will also start soon, we are fulfilling our commitment to relieve the city centre from the transit of freight transport", said Mr Vilnis Ķirsis, the Mayor of Riga.
The Government decided that the total planned eligible costs of the project are indicatively €122.7 million, including funding of €71.5 million from the Cohesion Fund. The total amount of eligible costs planned for the project is indicative and will be updated after all the procurements are completed. The Riga City Council has yet to take a decision on the implementation of the project.
Phase 4 of the Southern Bridge includes construction of Jāņa Čakstes gatve in the section from Valdeķu Street to Ziepniekkalna Street and construction of Jāņa Čakstes gatve in the section from Vienības gatve to Valdeķu Street. The process of awarding the construction contract and the author’s supervision contract is ongoing, as is the evaluation of the construction supervision tenderers.
The project will help to improve traffic on the left bank of the River Daugava, creating a full-fledged freight transit bypass, creating alternative routes for transit and freight traffic. Freight transport will be separated from local public transport flows and the historic city centre will be relieved of transit and heavy freight flows directed towards the port.
Besides, international connectivity and integration into the TEN-T network (national main road network), eliminating infrastructure bottlenecks in the city's network of the existing main streets and improving the technical characteristics of transport infrastructure and traffic safety.
The project will improve the needs of the residents and those of the city development at local, regional and international level, as well as achieve throughput corresponding to the forecast traffic intensity, high level of traffic, pedestrian and cyclist comfort and safety.
Information was prepared by: Aira Ancāne, Project Coordinator, Riga Local Government Communication Administration External Communications Department, e-mail: aira.ancane@riga.lv