According to the Chairman of the Riga City Council, Vilnis Ķirsis (JV), the port of Riga and industrial areas were and will be, but there was no thought of a bypass road to divert freight transport, which is an integral part of the city’s economic circulation.
“The traffic overpass to Kundziņsala, together with the Eastern highway and the Daudersala overpass, is part of Riga’s inner ring road, which allows you to divert freight transport away from the city center, so that it is more convenient and pleasant for people to live, work, relax and do other daily activities. In addition, by building this transmission, new opportunities will open up for the city to attract investors with really big business plans,” believes ķirsis.
According to the municipality, construction of utility networks, pile drilling, construction of bridge supports and spans, construction of streets and roads are currently underway. As the next works in the facility, the assembly and sliding of steel spans over Sarkandaugava is planned.
As the builders admit, the biggest challenges in the work process are that the construction takes place in a narrow, limited area and over water, which makes it difficult to assemble the structures, as well as to plan the work so as not to interfere with the operation of the neighboring areas, including SIA “MAN-TESS” and Rīgas free port territories. This requires developing and following traffic schedules, predicting waiting areas, limiting movement speed and taking other measures to reduce the impact on the surrounding environment.
The project is implemented in cooperation with the Riga Freeport Authority. The municipality implements the construction of the traffic overpass and will ensure its functioning by building the Kundziņsala traffic overpass, while the Freeport, as a cooperation partner, will build part of the Kundziņsala territory and the connection with the overpass to the flyovers to and from the overpass.
According to the city council, the majority of construction works have already been implemented in the territory of Kundziņsala by order of the Freeport of Riga – connecting roads, squares, retaining walls, engineering communications, lighting poles have been built. Most of the infrastructure of the customs control point – shed and building – has also been built, and work is currently underway on the interior decoration and installation of equipment. Estimated deadline for completion of all works is the first half of 2025.
Edgars Sūna, deputy manager of the Freeport of Riga for port development issues, states that Kundziņsala is currently developing into an active cargo warehouse and logistics center, specializing mainly in handling container cargo. “At the same time, several international investors have also shown interest in the free industrial areas in Kundzinsala, considering them as a potential place for setting up renewable energy projects, such as wind energy or their component factories,” says Sūna. He adds that more than 1,000 truck units per day are currently served at Kundzinsala port terminals.
The construction project envisages the construction of an 863.5 meter long overpass that will connect Kundziņsalu and Tvaika streets. The overpass will connect Tvaika street with the public area of Kundziņsala and the industrial area of the Freeport of Riga on both banks of the Sarkandaugava tributary, including crossing three railway tracks and the surface oil pipeline in two places, and the Sarkandaugava tributary, according to the route plan, sequentially connecting to Tvaika street and the previously built Daudersala overpass .
As part of the project, it is planned to build a pedestrian sidewalk, a road network for cyclists and vehicles with technical means of traffic management, as well as to install landscaping elements. Also, to ensure water drainage, it is planned to rebuild the existing and build a new rain drainage system, as well as build infiltration wells or ditches.
The City Council emphasizes that the new overpass will play a significant role in diverting freight transport from the city center by creating bypass roads – a connection with the Daudersala overpass, Eastern highway, Southern bridge and Čakste street. Among other things, the construction of the overpass also means an orderly environment that will promote people’s well-being when moving around the territory of Kundziņsala and Sarkandaugava, according to the city council.
The total cost of the project is 82.6 million euros. The state budget grant amounts to 23 million euros, while the state budget loan amounts to 59.6 million euros. This year it is planned to pay approximately 36.7 million euros, next year – approximately 38.8 million euros, and in 2026 it is planned to pay approximately 7 million euros. The project is co-financed from the European Union funds – KF funding is 4.5 million euros. The recipient of the funding is the Riga Freeport Authority.
Interview: Time.news Editor with Edgars Sūna, Deputy Manager of the Freeport of Riga for Port Development
Editor: Welcome, Edgars! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the exciting developments happening in Riga, particularly with the construction project in Kundziņsala.
Edgars Sūna: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share the insights about this crucial project.
Editor: Let’s start with an overview. Can you tell us why the overpass connecting Kundziņsala and Tvaika Street is important for the city?
Edgars Sūna: Absolutely. The construction of the 863.5-meter long overpass is a significant step in enhancing the logistics infrastructure in Riga. It will not only streamline freight transport by diverting traffic away from the city center but also provide a vital connection between industrial areas, especially for our growing container cargo operations.
Editor: That’s fascinating! It seems like traffic congestion is a major issue in urban areas. How do you expect this overpass to improve the daily lives of the residents in Riga?
Edgars Sūna: The new traffic overpass is part of Riga’s inner ring road, which will make it much more convenient for residents. By diverting freight traffic, it will create a more pleasant environment for living and working. Less congestion means clearer roads for personal travel and an overall enhancement in the quality of urban life.
Editor: You mentioned attracting international investors. Can you elaborate on what types of investors you’re hoping to attract to Kundziņsala?
Edgars Sūna: Certainly! We have already received interest from various international investors looking to set up renewable energy projects, particularly in wind energy and related manufacturing. The location’s logistics capabilities make it an ideal hub for such initiatives, as multiple sectors can benefit from efficient transportation.
Editor: It sounds like a multi-faceted development! Can you share some details on the current construction challenges with the overpass and how those are being managed?
Edgars Sūna: The construction process has presented unique challenges, particularly due to the narrow areas of work and the fact that we are building over water. We must carefully plan our work schedules to minimize disruptions to nearby operations—including the SIA “MAN-TESS” facility and our busy port terminals. Traffic management and safety measures are critical components of our strategy.
Editor: That’s great insight. As the project moves forward, what timeline are we looking at for the completion of this overpass and associated infrastructure?
Edgars Sūna: We expect all works to be completed by the first half of 2025. Most of the preliminary infrastructure, such as connecting roads and customs facilities, has already been built, which puts us in a solid position moving forward.
Editor: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you think our readers should know about the future of Kundziņsala and the Freeport of Riga?
Edgars Sūna: Yes! Beyond just improving logistics, the development in Kundziņsala represents a strategic investment in the future. It’s about building a sustainable, efficient, and investor-friendly environment that supports both the economy and environmental initiatives. As we progress, we hope to see even more innovative projects that can contribute to Riga’s growth.
Editor: Thank you so much for your time, Edgars. It’s been enlightening, and we look forward to watching the progress of the Kundziņsala project!
Edgars Sūna: Thank you! I’m glad to share our vision for the future of Riga, and I hope the community will be as excited as we are.