“Rīgas satiksme” continues work on implementation of the project “Adaptation of the Riga tram infrastructure to the low-floor tram parameters”. Design works have been started for the adaptation of the infrastructure of the line section of tram route No. 5, the line section of tram route No. 7 and the intersection of the November 11 embankment and January 13. Street.

As a result of the organized open tender, in August, 2021 an agreement on the development of the construction project for adaptation of the line section of tram route No. 7 was signed  with an association of persons SIA “BRD Projekts” and SIA “REM PRO”, on the development of the construction project for adaptation of the line section of tram route No. 5, an agreement  was signed with SIA “Transportbūvju konsultācijas” and on the development of the construction project for adaptation of the infrastructure at the intersection of November 11 embankment and January 13 Street, an agreement was signed with SIA “BRD PROJEKTS”. The deadline for the development of the construction project for the intersection of November 11 embankment and January 13 Street is May, 2022, whereas, the construction projects for the line sections of tram routes No. 5 and 7, according to the contractual terms, will be completely developed in August, 2022.

Within the framework of all three concluded agreements, construction projects in the minimum composition have been developed for the construction facilities, and construction permits were received in December, 2021. The minimum composition of the construction projects reflects the main construction works planned at the construction sites in accordance with the conditions of the design tasks, including the identified boundaries of the railway reconstruction or renewal, the planned location of stops and the basic principles of construction, the planned location of the energy supply facilities, etc. The development of the engineering solution parts for the construction projects is currently underway, furthermore, the initial solutions are being detailed.

In order to ensure the most accurate and efficient progress and supervision of the work execution process, regular meetings are held with the designers. There exists constructive cooperation with the other municipal institutions, such as RPA “Rīgas gaisma”, SIA “Rīgas ūdens”, as well as with the other holders of engineering communication networks, organizing meetings during which the most operative and efficient solutions for the construction projects are found. At the same time, the Project Management Team of “Rīgas satiksme” organizes discussions and presentations of the solutions in meetings with the Riga City Council City Development Department, the Riga City Council Department of Traffic and with the National Cultural Heritage Board.

Within the framework of the infrastructure components of the project “Adaptation of the Riga tram infrastructure to the low-floor tram parameters”, the procurement - development of the construction projects and author’s supervision “Design of the substation buildings, renovation of 10 kV power lines and replacement of the electrical equipment on tram routes No. 5 and 7” were also organized. As a result of the procurement, agreements have been concluded with SIA “AMB Design” (design of substations No. 4, 16 and 17) and SIA “Baltex Group” (design of substations No. 11 and 13). According to the concluded agreements, the deadline for the development of the construction projects is October, 2022.

Based on the best experience in the implementation of such and similar projects, in spring 2022, “Rīgas satiksme” is planning to organize meetings with the Riga city districts, which would be directly affected by the project works implementation, to present the construction project solutions and the Project’s future results and benefits. Also, during the development phase of the construction projects, meetings will be held with associations representing people with disabilities to hear suggestions and to provide successful solutions related to the accessibility of the environment in the construction projects.

Implementation of the project “Adaptation of the Riga tram Infrastructure to the low-floor tram parameters” will improve the environmental accessibility for elderly passengers, passengers with children and people with disability and in general will facilitate the increase of the number of passengers in environmentally friendly public transport. It is planned to attract co-funding of the European Union Cohesion Fund for the project.

The project has several environment sustainability related objectives, which include:

• to increase the speed of the tram traffic;
• to reduce traffic jams;
• to reduce the negative CO₂ emission impact from private cars on the environment and air quality;
  
• to improve the experience of travelling in public transport by improving the quality of rendered services.

More detailed information on the services offered by „Rīgas satiksme”, lists of the routes, kinds of tickets and other news can be obtained on the website www.rigassatiksme.lv or in social networks „Twitter”, „Facebook”.