“Rīgas satiksme” has filed an application with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency to raise co-funding from the European Union for the development of Riga tramway infrastructure
“Rīgas satiksme” has filed a project application with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency to raise co-funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund for the development of Riga tramway infrastructure. The co-funding is intended for infrastructural renewal of a section of the 5th tram route and several sections of the 7th tram route, in order to adjust the specified tram route sections for low-floor tram traffic and improve environment accessibility for the elderly and physically impaired, as well as for parents with children. Scheduled for commencement this year, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Objectives of the project “Adjustment of the Riga Tramway Infrastructure to the Parameters of Low-Floor Tramway” include the renewal and reconstruction of the 7th tram route stretch from the Centrāltirgus Street to the Ķengarags Terminus, which amounts to about 7 km of renewed line. in order to make use of the benefits of low-floor tram and ensure environment accessibility for all passengers, several tram stop platforms are going to be reconstructed and elevated. The project also features renovation of the overhead lines and power supply facilities in accordance with the parameters of low-floor tram.
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The scope of the project also includes the reconstruction of infrastructure of the 5th tram route stretch from the junction of Slokas Street and Jūrmalas Gatve Street to the Iļģuciems Terminus, which is about 2 kilometres long, also to be adjusted to the parameters of low-floor tram and improved by means of constructing appropriate platforms at the tram stops within this stretch for the purpose of ensuring environment accessibility. Apart from that, rail tracks of the 5th tram route on Slokas Street are going to be reconstructed, from the junction with Pulka Street to the junction with Jūrmalas Gatve Street.
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In order to reduce the junction crossing time for both trams and cars and thus alleviate the traffic tie-ups, the Riga tramway infrastructure development project also makes provisions for the reconstruction of rail tracks at the junction of 11 Novembra Embankment and 13 Janvāra Street. This junction is going to be fitted with a heated automated switch control system and storm water sewer connections, also featuring remote switch control, for the purpose of improving tram traffic safety.
It should be noted here that the implementation of the “Adjustment of the Riga Tramway Infrastructure to the Parameters of Low-Floor Tramway” project in general would benefit from the promotion of environment-friendly public transport and the subsequent increase of passenger traffic with environment-friendly public transport. Apart from that, it has several environment sustainability-related objectives:
- ensure environmental accessibility for any passenger – elderly passengers, disabled people and parents with baby prams;
- to increase the number of public transport users who use environmentally friendly public transport;
- to increase the speed of the tram traffic;
- to reduce traffic jams;
- reduce the negative CO2 emission impact on the environment and air quality produced by private cars;
- improve the experience of travelling with public transport by means of improving the quality of service.
Annually the 7th tram line transports nearly 6 million passengers, and this is the second most intensively used tram route in Riga, following the 1st tram route. Based on current experience, ensuring the low-floor tram traffic would increase the number of transported tram passengers by 6% on average. This shows that people prefer public transport, which is comfortable, modern and easily accessible. Whereas, the 5th tram route is the fourth most intensively used route, where more than 3 million passengers are transported on average per year.
The total project costs are estimated at about 47.9 million Euros. The intended co-funding from the Cohesion Fund is 85% of eligible expenses, which is 33.7 million Euros, whereas the remaining 14.2 million Euros would be provided by “Rīgas satiksme”.
To communicate with «Rīgas satiksme», please use our hotline 20361862 or email to info@rigassatiksme.lv. You can also contact us on our website at www.rigassatiksme.lv, section «Contact us» («Sazinies ar mums»), where everybody can submit his/her application.
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