To establish a new railway connection between RIX Riga Airport and Riga Central Railway Station, which will in the future form part of the Rail Baltica route, and to modernise the existing railway infrastructure up to Ogre, SJSC Latvian Railways (LDz) signed an agreement with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency on 27 August 2026 for the implementation of a European Union-funded project. The total project funding amounts to EUR 264.18 million, and LDz, together with its cooperation partner European Railway Lines Ltd. (EDzL), plans to implement the project activities by 31 December 2029.
The project includes the construction of a new 1,520 mm gauge railway branch line from the Rail Baltica station at Riga Airport to the Imanta railway stop, as well as the modernisation of the existing railway infrastructure on the Imanta-Riga Central Railway Station and Riga Central Railway Station-Ogre sections. Works will also be carried out to develop passenger-friendly infrastructure in the vicinity of the new Rail Baltica station at Riga Airport and to ensure train operations.
The connection will initially be served by a shuttle train operating in both directions between Riga Airport and the city centre. At the initial stage, the service will be integrated into the existing 1,520 mm railway network, providing modern passenger transport services between the airport and the capital's centre. In the future, the connection is planned to be linked to the Rail Baltica main line.
The project's objective is to modernise the existing electrified railway network and extend the electrified area, enhance passenger and rail traffic safety, and improve the quality and comfort of passenger services. At the same time, the project will contribute to the development of resilient defence infrastructure and military mobility along the railway corridor from the airport through Riga Central Railway Station to Ogre.
The new connection and the modernisation of the existing infrastructure will improve access to public transport and enable more passengers to choose rail for their daily journeys. The project is expected to support labour market mobility and regional connectivity, while also helping to reduce emissions from road transport and mitigate the risk of road traffic accidents.
Distribution of responsibilities between LDZ and EDzL.
LDz will be responsible for constructing the 1,520 mm gauge railway branch line from the Rail Baltica station at Riga Airport to the Imanta railway stop, as well as modernising the railway infrastructure on the Imanta-Riga Central Railway Station and Riga Central Railway Station-Ogre (Aizkraukle direction) sections.
In cooperation with the Rail Baltica contractors engaged by EDzL, LDz will also implement the construction of the overhead contact line, signalling and track systems at Riga Central Railway Station, integrating the southern and northern sections and ensuring passenger transport functionality in the southern section.
A total of EUR 130,914,368 has been allocated for these activities, including EUR 111,277,212 from the Cohesion Fund and EUR 19,637,156 from the national budget.
Under the cooperation agreement concluded with LDz on 5 December 2025, EDzL will ensure the functionality of the Rail Baltica station building at Riga Airport and its associated infrastructure, making it fully operational for passengers and train services.
EDzL will also be responsible for the construction of the railway embankment from the Mazā Gramzdas street area to the Kārlis Ulmanis avenue overpass, the construction of the overpass and related infrastructure up to Zolitūdes street, and the implementation of associated infrastructure solutions.
A total of EUR 133,262,440 has been allocated for these activities, including EUR 113,273,074 from the Cohesion Fund and EUR 19,989,366 from the national budget.
The project's total budget amounts to EUR 264,176,808, comprising EUR 224,550,286 from the Cohesion Fund and EUR 39,626,522 in national co-financing.
Project No. 3.3.1.1/1/26/I/001, "Development of Connecting Infrastructure in the Riga Railway Node (International Airport 'Riga' - Riga Central Railway Station - Aizkraukle Direction)", is being implemented under the EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 measure "Development of Railway Infrastructure and Improvement of Energy Efficiency in Public Passenger Transport."
The planned completion date for all project activities is 31 December 2029.
