Taking into consideration the rapid increase of the number of private cars as well as the existing Riga transport system within the last decade, which is significantly limited by the insufficient number of crossings of the Daugava river, and fragmented network of main streets, it can not provide efficient and modern requirements necessary for mobility without adequate transport infrastructure projects. The existing non-compliance of urban transport system for today’s situation is reflected in traffic jams on bridges and major arterial roads, thus worsening the quality of urban environment and leaving an essential influence on traffic flow not only in Riga centre, but also in Riga region.

In response to occurred circumstances, the City Development Department of the Riga City Council, preparing Riga Spatial Plan for 2006 – 1018, conducted the evaluation of all existing transport systems and developed a concept for development of Riga street network structure based on two circle system with radial roads from suburban roads. It is planned that the Great Circle will consist of Eastern and Western main roads connected with Northern and Southern crossings of the Daugava river. The project development of Riga Northern Transport Corridor (hereinafter – the Northern Corridor) is carried out in direct connection with development of the perspective main streets structure.

The Northern Corridor is the most complex and most expensive transport infrastructure project in the Baltic States within last decades. The objective of it is to divert the traffic from the centre of Riga, to connect the Riga Freeport to road network of European importance and to increase the competitiveness of East-West transport corridor in Latvia thus improving the environment quality in Riga generally. As a result of implemented project a convenient high-speed highway will be constructed passing through Riga in the west-east direction without prejudice to the historical city centre. The overall planned length of the road – about 27 - 30 km. The Western part the Northern Corridor will connect to motor road Riga - Jurmala – Ventspils at Priedaine, but in Eastern part – to the state motor road A2 (Riga – Sigulda) at Bergi. The Northern Corridor will be integrated into the network of Riga’s streets with 10 – 12 multi-level crossings. The motorway will cross also the 0.4 km wide Daugava river.

The Northern Corridor by its nature is a project important not only for Riga local authority, but also for the whole country with an important role in the context of public transport infrastructure. In accordance with a mobility plan for the city of Riga and the surrounding region, which was approved at the end of 2010, the Northern Corridor is the most important missing element of road infrastructure, which has a huge role in mobility improvement in Riga and the surrounding region. Such a statement is based on estimates show that in case the Northern Corridor will not be constructed, then by 2031 during the morning rush hour the traffic volume on bridges of Riga city centre will be by 34% higher, but the driving speed throughout Riga will decrease in average by 12%. Apart from the positive contribution to economy with newly created jobs, the current value of the Northern Corridor project benefits is in the amount of 2,47 billion euros (mostly consists of monetarised savings of time spent on movement).

The Northern Corridor design preparation and feasibility study is made by the Project Management and Development Unit of the City Development Department of Riga City Council. The Northern Corridor has granted financing from European Union Trans-European Transport Network budget (hereinafter – TEN-T), within the project „Integration of Riga City and Riga port in TEN-T network”. During the period of 2006 – 2012 two TEN-T support programmes are implemented in parallel – TENT–T 2005 „Integration of Riga City and Riga port in TEN–T network” that was successfully completed by the end of 2010, and TEN–T 2007 „Riga City and Riga Freeport integration in the TEN–T network: Completion of the Riga Northern Transport Corridor studies”.

The Northern Corridor project implementation is important in order to secure further growth and international competitiveness of Riga, Riga region and Latvia.

2010

Segment 1:
(the so called „Brivibas Dublieris” or “the alternate of Brivibas street”) forms the eastern part of the designed corridor of transport. It starts from the state motor road A2 (Rīga – Sigulda) at Bergi in the territory of Garkalne region and runs on Gustava Zemgala avenue (Eastern Bypass). The approximate length of the span is 9.1 kilometres.

• In 2010, within the amendment procedure of Riga Spatial Plan for 2006 – 2018 the specification of red lines for the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor has been initiated in accordance with developed and approved sketch design;
• In 2010, realizing the economic situation as well as the scope and costs of the Northern Corridor project which significantly exceeds Riga City Council funding possibilities, a decision was taken to review the implementation model of the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor setting a new conceptual solution including the whole Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor or a part of it. The choice of the concept was based on technical and economical severability of the segment (to be implemented as a separate project), EU funds availability, the potential amount of EU funding, as well as implementation plan and timetable of such a concept – and accordingly the sketch design of the Segment 1 was reviewed and on a basis of it a sketch design of the „Early Stage project” was developed which was approved in November 2010 by responsible authorities;
• The „Early Stage project” concept was reviewed by Riga City Council and accepted in meetings on June 17th and September 8th, 2010, by the Northern Corridor Project Steering Committee, but meanwhile the „Early Stage project” was submitted to the Ministry of Transport with a request to review a possibility to grant a funding from Cohesion Fund for the implementation of the project within existing EU funds programming period – for technical and construction project co-financing, taking into consideration the fact that surplus of funds might be expected from projects which are co-financed by Cohesion Fund because of reduction of construction costs due to economical slowdown;
• Meanwhile Riga City Council City Development Department currently proceeds with all possible steps to ensure co-funding from EU Cohesion Fund for the next, i.e., 2014 – 2020 planning period, of the Northern Corridor. The Northern Corridor as the first priority has been included in the list of major infrastructure projects of the Riga City Council for the EU programming period 2014 - 2020. The Project is included in the total list of major projects of Latvia by Ministries of Transportation and Regional Development and Local Development and further referring the information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia;
• The Riga City Council has started to review the issue of the Northern Corridor Segment 1 related to expropriation of properties, where Property Department of the Riga City Council takes the leading role.

Segment 2:

Starts slightly to the west of Daugavgrivas street (cross-point of Spilve glen and Dzirciema street, which is also closing point of the Segment 3), then crosses the Daugava river, northern part of the Riga downtown and ends at the central axes of the Eastern main (Gustava Zemgala avenue).

• In 2010 the 2nd phase of the development of the Northern Corridor project sketch designs and the EIA was completed – the sketch design was developed by designer „Basler & Hofmann GmbH” and the EIA was developed by „Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Environment” SIA. In December 2010, the final sketch design version of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor, approved by responsible authorities, was submitted.
• In January 2010, public discussion on the 2nd phase of the working report of the EIA was organised with three alternative solutions of the route position. A variety of interested parties has been involved in public discussion – local citizens, designers, engineers and urban planning experts, as well as environmental, economical and financial experts. During public discussion 76% of respondents supported the 3rd solution of the route (deep-bored tunnel and high bridge). 3rd Option is the most appropriate one with the least impact on society, local citizens, environment and cultural heritage. While the 2nd Option of the route (elevated road and high bridge) was supported only due to its low costs since this solution has more unfavourable impact on local citizens. The 1st Option was neither supported (deep-bored tunnel in whole length) – as the most expensive solution with the least impact on environment. Public discussion survey results showed the support of public for the 3rd Option which corresponds with statement of technical experts, i.e., road engineers indicate that the 3rd Option is the most appropriate one, while environmental experts consider it as the next most appropriate solution after the 1st Option;
• On July 6th, 2010, Riga City Council takes decision on the General Option of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor – acceptance of the planned activity „Construction of the Segment 2 of the Riga Northern Corridor of Transport from Daugavgrivas street to Gustava Zemgala avenue (Vairoga street)” by forecasting further development of construction project of the 3rd Option of layout of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor - 3rd Option provides for the Segment 2 technical solution with a tunnel under the southern part of the Mikeli cemetery and a high layout bridge over the Daugava river. Since in the course of acceptance of this General Option many questions on technical solutions and costs of the Daugava river crossing raised, there was stated a necessity to investigate other alternatives that would be reasonable for analyzing in more details with aim to reduce costs of the project. As a result on September 8th, 2010, the Steering Committee of the Riga Northern Transport Corridor presents review of potential alternatives of the Northern Crossing of the Daugava river. Basing on recommendations of this review the Steering Committee assigns the City Development Department of the Riga City Council to commence development of sketch project for option of the immersed tunnel of the Northern Crossing of the Daugava river, this option shall be evaluated as the only rational alternative of already analyzed options of deep-bored tunnel and high bridge. Only by the time when immersed tunnel option will be developed in the equal stage of the high bridge solution, i.e., in sketch design stage, that would be reasonable for analysing these two competing alternatives and make a decision on the optimal choice for technical solution of the Northern Crossing of the Daugava river. The initial data indicates that immersed tunnel costs are similar to the ones for the high bridge solution, but it is likely that in future the importance of the immersed tunnel; will increase, because every year new and constantly bigger vessels are built in the world and even nearly 60 meters tall bridge could become a limiting factor for cruise and Ro-Pax vessels to access the centre of Riga, besides the construction of the tunnel does not leave a visual impact on the existing urban environment
  • Informative materials of the Northern Crossing of the Daugava river:

    Report to the Steering Committee on alternatives of the Riga Northern Corridor of Transport the Crossing of the river Daugava (PVAD, 2010)
    Presentation to the Steering Committee „About alternatives of the Crossing of the river Daugava” (PVAD, 2010)
    Analysis of alternatives of the Crossing of the river Daugava (AECOM, 2009) 
    The Northern Crossing of the river Daugava solution in a way of immersed tunnel (PVAD, 2009)

Segments 3 and 4

Starts at Daugavgriva street and ends in the designed road junction at Priedaine where connection of motor road Riga – Ventspils and the Northern Corridor is planned. Route of the Segment 3 of the Northern Corridor goes along the administrative territory of the Riga city while the Segment 4 crosses administrative territories of Babite and Jurmala.

• In the period from May to June, 2010, working report on the EIA was delivered for public discussion, the discussion were organized simultaneously in all the municipalities whose territories are affected by the potential location of the Northern Corridor Segments 3 and 4 – in Riga, Jurmala and Babite. The designer of the route of the Segments 3 and 4 as well as the EIA is „Ceļuprojekts” AS. Four alternative technical solutions of the route were offered for public discussion – 1, 2, 2a and 3. Public discussion survey results showed that the opinion of experts did not match the opinion of public – road engineers (designer of the route) recommended developing the 2a Option until the public discussion, while inhabitants rejected the 2a Option and supported the 2nd Option of the route layout. Meanwhile the environment experts indicated that the 1st Option is the most appropriate solution for environment, but as for environmental point of view no excluding aspect in respect of environment were found in any of supported options of engineers and inhabitants;
• Taking into account the public discussion results of working report on the EIA of the Northern Corridor Segments 3 and 4, ”Ceļuprojekts” AS developed and submitted the initial version of the Final report of the Northern Corridor feasibility study with improved and specified development of the 2nd Option which was supported by inhabitants.

To the start

2009

Segment 1

• In 2009, the development of the EIA was completed. The report on the EIA was developed by Riga Long-term Development Centre „Agenda 21” and the Environment Department of the Riga City Council.
• On January 13, 2009, the Riga City Council takes a decision about General Option of the Northern Corridor Segment 1. Basing on the decision taken the sketch design was developed for the third alternative option.
• In September 2009, Riga City Council receives a developed sketch design that is approved by responsible authorities for the Northern Corridor Segment 1. The sketch design was developed by designer „BRD & ProVia”.

Segment 2

• In 2009 the development of the sketch design and the EIA for the Northern Corridor Segment 2 continued – the sketch design is developed by designer „Basler & Hofmann GmbH” and the EIA was developed by „Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Environment” SIA:
  • In 2009 the sketch project pre-design was developed till such a detailed level to be able to conclude work on working report of the EIA and organise public discussion. During the process there were 7 different technical and location solutions developed in similarly detailed level, but only 3 of them which was considered as the best ones were recommended for public discussion;
  • In December 2009, public discussion was started on working report (i.e., the sketch project pre-design option) of impact on the environment assessment (EIA) for the Northern Corridor Segment 2 where three alternative solutions for route layout were considered.
• In January 2009, the technical expert of the project of the Northern Corridor „AECOM” Ltd prepared an independent review and statement of experts on the EIA of the Northern Corridor.
• On December 17th, 2009, public discussion on the working report of the EIA of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor was carried on.

Segments 3 and 4

• In 2009 development of the sketch design and the EIA of the Segments 3 and 4 of the Northern Corridor was carried out by the company „Ceļuprojekts” AS – by end of the year the initial working report on sketch design and the EIA of the Segments 3 and 4 was concluded. The report offered reasonable alternative solutions for the layout of the planned route, carried out the initial geotechnical research and analysis of potential risks of the design. Similarly, „Ceļuprojekts” AS has submitted results of traffic counting to be available for further data collection.
• Based on the fact that the Segment 4 of the Northern Corridor goes beyond the boundaries of Riga administrative area and in the future it is likely to have the status of the main road, the preparation work of the Segment 4 is co-financed also by the state budget of Latvia, not only by Riga City Council. There is a co-funding attracted from the state budget in the amount of 145,500 LVL (in accordance with the protocol by the Cabinet of Ministers Nr. 69 81 § chapter, issued on October 13, 2010) for development of sketch designs of the Segment 4.

To the start

2008.

• The research on intensity and traffic flow has been carried out in Riga city which was essential for development of new traffic model of Riga and detailed analysis of the Northern Corridor project – it was carried out by „Faber Maunsell, Ltd.” (UK) and concluded on August 26th, 2008.

 

Segment 1

• September 24th, 2008 – the council of the Garkalne region supports the 3rd alternative Option of the Segment 1.
• All the required documentation has been prepared to accept the planned activities of Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor „ Construction of highway from entrance of the motor road A2 into the Riga city to Gustava Zemgala avenue (to Vairoga street in 2008) (alternate of Brivibas street)”.
• The impact on the environment assessment of the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor has been concluded. On July 30th, 2008, Statement of the Environment State Bureau concluded the EIA procedure.

Segment 2

• Geotechnical research as well as hydro-geological modelling works within the framework of the research of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor, were concluded on October 15th, 2008. These were carried out by „Baltijas inženierģeoloģiskais centrs” PS (Latvia).
• The feasibility study of the Northern Corridor Segment 2 was performed, i.e., prepared interim report of the sketch design and technical and economical substantiation, prepared by „Basler & Hofmann Deutschland GmbH” (Germany)
• Agreement with „Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment” SIA on development of working report of the EIA on the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor is concluded.

Segments 3 and 4

• Tender documentation prepared for „Development of the sketch design and the EIA of the Segments 3 and 4 of the Northern Corridor starting at Daugavgriva street and ending at the motor road A10 junction at Priedaine”.

To the start

2007

• On April 12th, 2007, joint Steering Committee of the Northern Corridor project was established with representatives from both, Riga City Council as well as The Ministry of Transport.
• Work on „Informative report on the implementation of the Northern Corridor project” progression and coordination of protocol decision with respective ministries. Accepted on December 11, 2007 with a Decision Nr. 3175 by Riga City Council.
• Cooperation contract was concluded with the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia on implementation of the Northern Crossing project.
• Cooperation with an initiative programme JASPERS by European Commission, European Regional Structural Fund (hereinafter – ERAF) and European Investment Bank (hereinafter – EIB) was commenced which is assisting in the preparation of projects to meet EU requirements and thus qualify for grant funding under Cohesion Funds and Funds of EIB for the future.
• Cooperation with representatives from EIB was started with the objective to inform and to rouse interest of the bank in the Northern Corridor project, thus facilitate the potential financing from EIB within the framework of the public – private partnership agreement in the future.
• An agreement with the company of UK „Faber Maunsell, Ltd.” was signed on making financial and traffic research with the purpose to develop detailed mechanism for project funding, including to examine the possible solutions for introducing a usage fee for traffic infrastructure.
• An agreement with „Lovells Law Office” was concluded on providing legal advice within the Northern Corridor project.
• Within the framework of an agreement on financial and traffic research the company „Faber Maunsell, Ltd.” (UK) organised driver’s surveys on/at current crossings of the Daugava river in September, 2007.
• A project proposal was prepared and submitted to TEN-T 2007 project tender „Riga City and Riga Freeport integration into TEN-T network: Riga Northern Transport Corridor feasibility study completion”. The European Commission has recognised the TEN-T 2007 project proposal and granted co-funding in the amount of 5,5 million EUR which is 50% from planned total budget of the project – 11 million EUR, including funding the Segments 3 and 4 of the project (sketch design and the EIA) as well as technical, legal and financial advisory services (in the amount of 8 million EUR) and development of the technical project for reconstruction of Riga Freeport western access road on the left bank of the river Daugava (in the amount of 3 million EUR).
• In cooperation with „Latio” SIA the initial assessment of land properties of the Riga Northern Transport Corridor route is completed. Results indicate that in total the route of the Corridor impacts 685 mixed ownership properties with the total amount of ~75 million LVL.
• The agreement is concluded that all issues related to the purchase/expropriation of properties affected by the route of the Northern Corridor, are the competence of the Property Department of the Riga City Council.
• The legal advisors of the project „Lovells Law Office” (UK) with their Latvian partners „Sorainen” had initiated the research on possible solutions for purchase/expropriation process optimisation of the real estate properties.

 

Segment 1

• Contract with joint company „BRD&Pro Via” is concluded on development of sketch design for the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor (the alternate of Brivibas street).
• Development of working report on environment impact assessment has been started for the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor, which is developed by Riga Long-term Development Centre „Agenda 21”.

Segment 2

• Contract with municipal „Rīgas Ģeometrs” SIA is concluded on geodetic mapping of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor and activation of engineer study data for different implementation solutions of this segment.
• Contract with joint company „Baltijas inženierģeoloģiskais centrs” is concluded on geotechnical investigation works of the Segment 2 (starting from Vairogu street (as of 2008 from Gustava Zemgala avenue) main to Dzirciema street) of the Northern Corridor.
• Contract with „Basler & Hofmann Deutschland GmbH” on development of sketch design on Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor is concluded.

3rd and 4th segment

• Initial public discussion on the EIA of the route of the Segments 3 and 4 of the Northern Corridor is taking place and meanwhile the public discussion for the planned construction is organized in three municipalities affected by the potential location of the Northern Corridor – in Jurmala, Babite and Riga.
• All involved municipalities of the project (Jurmala, Babite and Riga) have taken a decision to accept the construction initiative.

To the start

2003-2006

• During the research of the Northern Corridor project between 2002 – 2006, the City Development Department of the Riga City Council continues initiated project studies in cooperation with industry experts and proposed a new design concept – the overall planned length of about 28 – 30 km Northern high-speed motor way crossing the whole city of Riga and consisting of 4 segments and from now on to be known as the project of Riga Northern Transport Corridor.
• During this period a variety conceptual implementation solutions were studied and possibilities of project preparation for attracting the funds of European Union were looked for. In 2004 the first project tender was prepared to submit for funding from European Union Communication Network Fund TEN-T (Trans – European Transport Network) within the framework of support programme, but unfortunately in 2004 the funding was not granted.
• For TEN-T 2005 design tender the Northern Corridor project application was improved and submitted repeatedly. As a result in December 2005, the European Commission granted co-funding for the project „Riga City and Riga Freeport integration into TEN-T network: Riga Northern Transport Corridor research” in the amount of 3,95 million EUR, which is 50% from planned budget – 6,9 million EUR including the design for Segments 1 and 2 of the Northern Corridor and traffic research in Riga city related to the implementation of the project (in the amount of 5 million EUR), as well as development of technical project for reconstruction of Riga Freeport eastern access road on the right bank of the river Daugava (in the amount of 1,9 million EUR).
• The role of the Northern Corridor is becoming more important in the growth and increase of competitiveness of the Riga city and the region with approval of the new development plan of Riga (i.e., for Riga Long-term Development Strategy until 2025, Development Programme for 2006 – 2012 and Riga Spatial Plan for 2006 – 2018) in the end of 2005. The Northern Corridor is becoming not only one of the most important pillar of the perspective Riga transport infrastructure, but also an integral part securing a successful development for the several intensive construction areas (i.e., the centre of Ciekurkalns, Skanste region, the centre of Podagra).

 

Segment 1

• In the period from February 20th till March 20th, 2006, public discussion on construction intention of the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor was organised. Three alternative options for layout of route were offered for public evaluation.
• July 4, 2006 – the Riga City Council takes decision accepting the construction intention.
• September 24, 2008 – the council of the Garkalne region supports the 3rd alternative Option of the Segment 1.
• October 18, 2006 – agreement with Riga Long-term Development Centre „Agenda 21” on development of the EIA for the Segment 1 of the Northern Corridor is concluded.

Segment 2

• In 2006 public discussion is organized on construction intention of the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor and on the EIA of the planned construction.
• On December 5th, 2006, the Riga City Council takes a decision accepting the construction intention for the Segment 2 of the Northern Corridor.

To the start

1998-2002

• The initial studies of the Northern Corridor in the period from 1998 to 2002, was performed in the supervision of Finance Department of the Riga City Council. During this period technical research of the Northern crossing (from Kurzemes prospekts to Duntes street) of the river Daugava was executed.
• On November 1st, 2002, the Finance Department of the Riga City Council with the help of acceptance certificate handed over the results of all performed researches (sketch designs, environmental impact, hydro-geological, geotechnical etc. studies final reports) to the City Development Department of the Riga City Council.
• Performed studies in the period of 1998 – 2002:
  • In 1998 by COWI, WS Atkins International – feasibility study on efficiency of new crossing of the river Daugava in the South from Salu bridge and in the North from Vansu bridge, as well as possible usage study of pillars of Zemgale bridge.
  • Research by „Ceļuprojekts” AS on geotechnical study works performance in the route of the new crossing of the river Daugava.
  • In 2000 by WS Atkins International – design study for the new crossing of the river Daugava, the EIA of it, including the study of the location (geotechnical, hydrological and land pollution studies).
  • In 2000 the Environment Impact Bureau developed a programme of EIA for the crossing of the river Daugava (bridge or tunnel) with access roads.
  • In 2000 by „EIROEKSPRESIS - RĪGA” SIA – forecasting compensations for buildings and constructions to be demolished on a route of the crossing of the river Daugava.
  • In 2000 „Rīgas Centrālais termināls” SIA commissioned a research on impact on the business value of „Rīgas Centrālais termināls” SIA by implementation of the new crossing of the river Daugava.
  • In 2000 by COWI – research on implementation possibility of the new crossing of the river Daugava in the North of Vansu bridge (the Corridor Spilve – Bukulti) (hydrological, geotechnical and polluted sites study).
  • In 2000 by BALT-OST-GEO SIA – development of programme on construction cross-comparison of the crossing of the Daugava river (bridge or tunnel) to set technical and natural constraints of the crossing implementation.
  • In 2000 by BALT-OST-GEO SIA – construction cross-comparison of the crossing of the Daugava river (bridge or tunnel) to set technical and natural constraints of the crossing implementation.
  • In 2001 by COWI – research on traffic flow requirements when crossing the river Daugava (traffic census, O – D array creation).
  • In 2001 by Tebodin – the most appropriate types of crossing the river Daugava: immersed tunnel, high bridge, deep-bored tunnel. The research was conducted based on the initiative of Tebodin Consultants and Engineers.
  • In 2002 by Tunnel Engineering Consultants – the sketch design development for the new crossing of Daugava river and its access roads (in the corridor of Spilve – Bukulti).
  • In 2002 by WS Atkins International – Environment impact assessment of the Northern tunnel (the corridor of Spilve – Bukulti).
  • By„Gidrostrojmost - Rīga” SIA – the sketch design development of the Northern crossing bridge (computer design).

Research documentation developed within the Northern Corridor project is available at the Project Management and Development Unit of the City Development Department of the Riga City Council.

To the start