Transport Minister Tālis Linkaits said on Latvian Radio that the construction phase should be started in the second half of next year.
Drīksna told Latvian Radio that it is in the nearest plans to complete all the technical projects, to obtain a price from the builders so that an analysis of the costs of the project can be carried out next year.
Explaining the potential cost increase in the project, Vice-President of the European Parliament Roberts Zīle (National Alliance), stressed that, despite the changing costs, the project must “go ahead”. In developing this project, Europe and its funds must see that Latvia is spending resources and that new funds are needed, notes Zile.
The potential increase in the project has still not been calculated, but it will only be possible to do so next year, according to Drīksna.
Transport Minister Linkaits said: “The fact that materials get more expensive over time is an objective reality that we cannot influence as project leaders. The aim is to create a project as soon as possible to give the country the highest economic returns. Obviously, we don't get all the funds right away, but we're getting the portions. Then we use it."
