More than 103 kilometres of Latvia’s electrified railway network have been modernised and upgraded through the project “Modernisation and Development of the Railway Electrified Network”, implemented by SJSC Latvian Railways (VAS Latvijas dzelzceļš).
The project has delivered a more modern, safer and more passenger-friendly railway infrastructure, supporting the development of passenger rail transport, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable travel habits, and reducing the environmental impact of public transport.
The project included the modernisation and development of electrified railway infrastructure at Zemitāni Station, on the Riga-Zemitāni, Zemitāni-Jāņavārti and Imanta-Sloka railway sections, as well as on the Riga railway bridge over the Daugava River. In addition, a new overhead contact line was constructed on the Zasulauks-Bolderāja section.
Alongside the construction and reconstruction of the overhead contact line system, the power supply infrastructure supporting the contact network was upgraded and signalling subsystems were modernised. These improvements have enhanced railway safety and the reliability of train operations, while creating the conditions for the further development of passenger rail services and expanding opportunities for the use of electric traction. At the same time, the project contributes to reducing transport-related CO₂ emissions and promoting environmentally friendly mobility.
The technical condition and quality of the overhead contact line system directly affect the safety and reliability of railway operations. Its renewal was therefore essential to reduce the risk of failures and service disruptions associated with ageing infrastructure.
One of the project's most significant challenges was carrying out large-scale modernisation works while maintaining regular train services. The works were carefully planned and implemented in phases, with some activities taking place during night-time hours. In certain construction stages, temporary restrictions on train operations were required, including the closure of one of the tracks or the provision of replacement bus services on parts of the route. Nevertheless, passenger transport services remained uninterrupted throughout the implementation of the project.
The “Modernisation and Development of the Railway Electrified Network” project was financed in full by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, with total project costs not exceeding EUR 72.7 million.
