This is significant support from the European Union (EU) that will allow the construction of the main line from Lithuania to Salaspils to continue, according to the Ministry of Transport (SM).

“The latest European Union funding will allow Latvia to move forward even faster with the construction of the southern section of the Rail Baltica main line. It is important to clearly show both the people of Latvia and our colleagues in Europe and the Baltic States that we are actively working towards a common goal – to establish a cross-border rail connection by the end of 2030. The construction of the main line in the first phase of the project is our top priority at the moment,” said Transport Minister Atis Švinka (Progressive Party).

The Rail Baltica project in all three Baltic States has been allocated additional funding of €295.5 million. This amount is the maximum funding available in this call, taking into account the available budget constraints.

The project promoter, the Baltic joint venture RB Rail, announced that the allocated funding will be used for construction and technical work in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, including the construction of the main railway line, the design of power supply systems and the coordination of the cross-border project.

Of the total amount, approximately €47.1 million has been allocated to Estonia, €153.5 million to Latvia and €94.9 million to Lithuania. The amounts allocated to each Member State also include funding for the coordinator, RB Rail.

It is planned that by the end of 2025, approximately 43% of the Rail Baltica main line will be under construction, according to RB Rail. To date, more than €4 billion in funding has been secured for the project, with a significant portion coming from the European Union and member states. Given the cost increases caused by inflation, Rail Baltica is considering additional financing mechanisms, including public-private partnership (PPP) models and the use of funds from the European Union’s Military Mobility Fund.

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