The last new tram line was built in Riga 40 years ago – in 1983, said Džineta Innusa, chair of the municipal public transport company Rīgas Satiksme board.
Construction work on the extension of the 7th tram line is planned to be carried out in stages, with the first expected to begin as early as next year so that all works are completed by 2026, Innusa said.
The implementation of the project, including construction work, will take place until June 2026. A contract has been entered into with Ltd “Binders” for the development of the building design, construction work, and supervision worth EUR 28,155,811 (excluding VAT).
Jānis Golubevs, board Member of Rīgas Satiksme, said in an interview with Latvian Radio that EUR 28 million is intended not only for the construction of the new track but also for the extension of the 15th trolley bus route to Višķu Street.
The city will also build a cycling lane at its own expense from Dole to Višķu Street.
Riga City Council Chairman Vilnis Ķirsis (New Unity) has acknowledged that the construction of a new tram line in the city is expensive, but "a very valuable investment, the fruits of which will be enjoyed by both us and future generations for many decades.”
“Extension of the 7th tram line by more than 2 kilometers is currently possible due to good cooperation of Rīga City Council with the government – the new track is being built for the money that the city has received from the resources of the European Union Recovery and Resilience funds granted to Latvia,” said Ķirsis.
The additional benefit of an extended tram line will be that a so-called mobility point will form at the destination, where passengers will have a convenient journey from one city or regional public transport mode to another, he said.
