Environmental impact assessment for the construction of 2nd segment of Riga Northern Transport Corridor / – Review of public hearings on the draft report
11.02.2010.
Riga City Development department organized public hearings on draft report of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the construction of new magistral road from from Daugavgrīvas street till Gustava Zemgala avenue - 2nd segment of Riga Northern Transport Corridor. Public hearings started in 17 December 2009 and lasted till 27 January 2010.
The draft report of EIA was prepared by the SIA Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment according to the decision accepted by the Environment State Bureau from 28 July 2006.
Three public meetings were organized during the period of public hearings. City residents, architects, engineers and urban planning experts, as well as specialists in environmental, economic and financial fields participated at these meetings.
556 survey sheetswere submitted - 287 in writing and 269 - electronically. Residents used a possibility to express their opinion to the Riga City Development department via mail as well. 144 collective application letters with 503 signatures and various recommendations were received, as well as references and suggestions from NGO’s, specialists, enterprises and State’s institutions.
76% of respondents support 3rd version, where the route is planned as a tunnel underneath the south part of Mežakapi cemetery, on a ground level in the region of Bukultu street, and as a high bridge between Ganību dambis and Daugavgrīvas Street.
Less than 4% support 2nd version, where the route is planned as an elevated road starting from Gustava Zemgala gatve, bypasing Mezakapi cemetery, proceeding above the Upes and Skanstes Street until Ganību dambis and turning into a high bridge to cross Daugava.
1st version, where the route between Daugavgrīvas Street and Gustava Zemgala gatve is built as a tunnel, was supported by 12% of respondents.
In general, the project is supported both by specialists and residents. Only 7,7% or respondents are against any of proposed options.
During the meeting participants mostly supported 3rd version, just as in written responses. Less impact on neighbouring residents’ life quality, reduced impact on environment and historical and culture heritage were between main arguments. Specialists supported 2nd and 3rd versions of the route in their discussions. Smaller costs were mentioned by specialists’ as an argument supporting 2nd version, but more positive impact on a city and people living near the planned route, was between main arguments for the 3rd version. 1st version was acknowledged as the most disadvantageous financially, but it has lesser impact on environment. It was discussed that finances for the construction of the Northern Transport Corridor must be attracted from different sources where EU funds are seen as the most important source.
Video recordings and other information from public discussions can be found on the Riga City Development Department Web page www.rdpad.lv, section „Public discussions”.
Following conclusions can be drawn from the public discussions:
- Residents have taken an active participation in public discussions. Discussions have been constructive and efficient.
- Project is supported in general.
- Support for the 3rd version expressed through polls match with the evaluation of technical experts, i.e. road engineers point out that 3rd version is most preferable, while environmental experts acknowledge this version as the second best after the 1st version.
- Meetings of residents in the Brasa region, written informative materials prepared and distributed by residents, submitted minutes and other documents testify, that people in Riga were able to organize themselves for efficient activities in short time period.
Sketch Design Project for the 1st Segment of the Riga Northern Transport Corridor has been developed
02.02.2010.
The sketch design project for the 1st Segment of the Northern Corridor or the “Brivibas Dublieris” (the alternate of Brīvības street) has been developed and approved in September 2009. The activities carried out were financed within the framework of EU project “Integration of Riga City and Riga Port into TEN-T network”. The sketch design project foresees the construction of a new motorway with a total length of 9.1 km, which begins at Jaunciema gatve connection to Brīvības street at the Eastern border of Riga City and ends at Gustava Zemgala gatve in the West, at the beginning of the Northern Corridor 2nd Segment.
The sketch design project for the alternate of Brīvības street envisages the construction of dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction from the Riga City border to the point near Ķīšezers lake, and construction of dual carriageway with three lanes in each direction from Jaunciema gatve near Ķīšezers lake to Gustava Zemgala gatve. The project also envisages construction of five multilevel traffic junctions with Gustava Zemgala gatve, Viskaļu iela, Mārkalnes iela, Jaunciema gatve and Brīvības gatve.
The Construction of the Northern Corridor is designed in 4 Segments. The approximate total road length is 27-30 km. The Northern Corridor is integrated into the network of the main state roads and provides convenient connections to the existing motorways. In the West it will be connected to Rīga - Jūrmala motorway at Priedaine and the Rīga bypass at Babīte, but in the East – to Vidzeme motorway in Berģi. The Northern Corridor will be integrated into the Riga street network with number of multilevel crossings. The motor road will also cross the 0.4 km wide river Daugava. After completion the Northern Corridor will become a significant part of Riga transport network that will divert traffic flow from the city centre and will provide access to the whole territory of Riga Port on both sides of the river Daugava. According to current plans construction will start in 2012 and it will be completed in 2018.
Development of the 1st Segment of the Northern Corridor sketch design project was started on March 20, 2007. From November 16, 2007 to December 27, 2007 public hearing procedure on the environmental impact assessment working report for the 1st Segment of Northern Corridor was carried out and on January 13, 2009 the Riga City Council passed the decision “On construction of the expressway leading to the City of Riga from the A2 motor road up to Gustava Zemgala gatve (the alternate of Brīvības street)”, which was based on its results.
Sketch design project for the Northern Corridor 1st Segment was developed by company “BRD&ProVia”. Detailed information on the 1st Segment of Riga Northern Transport Corridor – the sketch design project on the motorway from Vidzeme motorway to Gustava Zemgala gatve is available at the City Development Department of the Riga City Council, at Project Management and Development Unit.