New transport connection between Kundziņsala and Port of Riga

At the end of July, the Riga City Construction Board issued a building permit for the start of design and construction works for the Riga port infrastructure development project “Traffic overpass from Tvaika Street to Kundziņsala”. 

The project provides for the construction of a new bridge over the Sarkandaugava tributary, as well as access roads and the necessary infrastructure in Sarkandaugava and Kundziņsala, connecting it with the Eastern Highway project implemented by the municipality. According to the approved work schedule, it is planned to develop the construction project by the end of 2020, while the construction work has to be completed during 2023.

The new overpass will make it possible to deliver cargo to/from the port terminals in Kundziņsala faster and in more environmentally friendly way - the time spent on cargo transportation as well as cargo truck congestion and related emissions in the vicinity of the port will be reduced.

Kundziņsala is currently developing into an active cargo warehousing and logistics center, specializing mainly in container cargo handling. By reducing the time required for cargo delivery and processing, the port companies will be able to offer their customers a more cost-efficient and competitive service, at the same time enhancing the overall offer of the Port of Riga in the region.

Mr.Viesturs Zeps, the Chairman of the Freeport of Riga Board, says:

"Container cargo is one of the safest and the most environmentally friendly cargo segments in the world. The newly built, modern infrastructure of Tvaika Street up to Kundziņsala together with up-to-date customs logistics and control solutions will provide a significant investment into the sustainable development of the container cargo segment in the Port of Riga.”

The new project also provides for improvements in the infrastructure of the port areas. For the convenience of residents, it is planned to build a combined pedestrian and bicycle path across the new bridge, starting in the Kundziņsala residential area, as well as to install roadway and sidewalk lighting. One of the construction project objectives is reconstruction of the water supply and sewerage system main pipelines and supply network as well as construction of new routes in order to provide full-scale water supply and wastewater collection services. Anti-noise walls will be built in accordance with the noise assessment procedure, and the installation of protective fences over the industrial area will also be implemented.

The connection with Kundziņsala is a supplement to the project “Traffic overpass over the railway tracks “Rīga-Skulte” with connections to Viestura prospekts and Tvaika Street” launched by the Riga City Council. The aim of the said project is to divert traffic away from the residential areas and create road infrastructure which would prevent traffic jams, noise and air pollution.

The development, construction design supervision and construction works of the project “Traffic overpass from Tvaika Street to Kundziņsala” are performed by the association of persons “OCT”, with which a contract was concluded at the end of 2019 as a result of the procurement procedure. The contract price for this work is EUR 39,770,000. The project is co-financed by the EU Cohesion Fund.