Riga’s new Central Station, one of Rail Baltica’s key projects in Latvia, is taking a major step toward opening with the testing and gradual activation of permanent power supply in the southern section of the building. This stage marks the transition from main construction works to the testing and commissioning of the station’s internal systems.
During this phase, the contractor is gradually connecting the building’s main technical systems to the permanent power source—namely, the 0.4/10 kV substation—and conducting integrity tests. The work is carried out under controlled conditions and with enhanced safety procedures, given the complexity of integrating the systems into a railway infrastructure project of this scale.
This stage is significant because it marks the transition from temporary, construction-site-specific power supply to a permanent electrical infrastructure, necessary for the full operation of the facilities in the new station building.
From construction site to operational technical infrastructure
“This is an important moment in the construction of the new Riga Central Station. With the implementation of the permanent power supply, the station is evolving from a construction site into an operational technical infrastructure facility, where the building’s systems can begin to function fully.
This is a prerequisite for ensuring safe and efficient services for passengers in the coming years,” said Jānis Naglis, a member of the Board of Directors of SIA Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, the national implementer of Rail Baltica in Latvia.
The construction work is being carried out by the BERERIX consortium. The company’s CEO, Guntis Āboltiņš-Āboliņš, emphasized that activating the permanent power supply is one of the most complex and critical stages in infrastructure projects of this scale.
“This requires precise coordination between the construction, electrical engineering, safety, and systems integration teams. The BERERIX team is carrying out this stage in accordance with international standards for railway infrastructure and the project’s safety requirements,” he said.
Functional testing and preparations for temporary operation to follow
In the coming months, functional system tests, integrated safety tests, and preparations for the start of temporary operations will be carried out at the new Riga Central Station.
In parallel with the electrical work, the completion of the interior technical networks, platform infrastructure, facade, finishes, and the integration of digital and security systems continues.
Work on the southern section of the station is proceeding according to the project schedule and is part of the financing agreement signed by Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, the company coordinating the implementation of Rail Baltica in Latvia and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA) to improve passenger infrastructure through the construction of the southern section of Riga Central Station.
The total planned value of the financing agreement is EUR 138.7 million, of which EUR 114.6 million comes from the Recovery Fund and EUR 24.1 million from the state budget.
The agreement, signed in November 2025, stipulates that key works—including roof installation, facade construction, platform canopy construction, finishes, passenger access infrastructure, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing works—must be completed by August 31, 2026. At that time, the certificate of substantial completion is to be issued.
Full opening depends on the 1,520 mm gauge infrastructure
FIDIC engineering services, construction supervision, and expert assessment are provided by SIA FORMA 2.
The agreement also provides for the involvement of the state-owned company Latvian Railways (LDz) as a project partner. As the future infrastructure manager, LDz is participating in matters related to the handover and management of the new Riga Central Station to ensure the technical readiness necessary to assume management functions.
The southern section of Riga Central Station will be able to begin full passenger services following the completion of the 1,520 mm gauge railway infrastructure. The final commissioning of the entire project is contingent upon the completion of this infrastructure in the southern section, currently scheduled for mid-2028.
Share on:
