Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas and ERB Rail have officially launched the construction of the main Rail Baltica railway line in Latvia. Work has begun on the southern section from Misa to the Lithuanian border, where the first four of 11 permits have been issued. Surveys for unexploded ordnance, construction of an embankment, temporary roads, a new overpass and a bridge over the Iecava River are planned.
Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas Board Member Jannis Naglis emphasized that the preparatory stages have been completed, the necessary real estate has been purchased, and funding has already been allocated for the construction of the first 45 km of the route. An additional €153.3 million from the European Commission will speed up the implementation of the project.
Construction work is already underway on the 16-hectare site in Iecava, where the Rail Baltica infrastructure hub will be located. The contractor ERB Rail has set up an office on site, roads have been laid and supplies of construction materials are continuing. At the same time, the cost of the project is being optimized.