"I understand that there is money for the main route, but [not] for the branch to Rīga. But this project, without including Rīga, would be like giving money to Estonians, because it would practically connect Tallinn with Berlin. At best, Salaspils or Vangaži [with Berlin]," said the Rīga Mayor.
He said that the municipality was concerned that if there were no money, Riga could end up with a series of unfinished buildings in the city center. The mayor said he hoped that the government would find a way to ensure that this would not be the case.
"This project is very important for Rīga because it brings us closer to Vilnius and Tallinn and, with Rīga in the middle, more important events will take place here," said the mayor.
The municipality is also waiting for clarity from the project promoters on what to do with the bridge on Altonavas Street in Torņakalns, which is currently closed to freight traffic and public transport.
"The Rail Baltica project foresaw the demolition of the bridge, so Rīga did not invest any money in its restoration. We are in a strange situation because the project promoters have not said whether they need the bridge or not. We are waiting for the Ministry of Transport and the project promoters to tell us whether they will take it down or whether we should repair it," said Ķirsis.
