INTERREG Central Baltic Programme 2014-2020 co-financed project CB 241 “Advanced Traffic Management on E67 Transport Corridor (SMART E67)

Efficient road network is a key to economic activity and mobility of people and goods. While basic road infrastructure (pavement) has been modernized on E67 transport corridor in Latvia and Estonia, traffic information systems to ensure efficient, environment friendly, safe passenger and cargo transport need considerable improvements.

SMART E67 project aims to increase efficiency and safety of passenger and cargo mobility in the Central Baltic region by introducing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) on E67 transport corridor – a key transport corridor in Estonia and Latvia (North-South direction). Implementation of the project in partnership between Latvian State Roads and Estonian Road Administration ensures that ITS elements are introduced in critical nodes of transport (8 in Latvia; 6 in Estonia) on the entire E67 transport corridor crossing Estonia (192 km) and Latvia (202 km). It facilitates joint technological approach to ITS and ensures seamless quality of transport information pattern in the entire transport corridor.

Introduction of ITS elements on E67 via pilot investments into development of adaptive traffic management-roadside variable message signs (VMS), road weather information systems (RWIS) and other equipment providing to traffic participants timely, efficient and accurate traffic information will result in a decrease of travel time of passengers and cargos by 0,57% if compared to the current travel time in this section.

The project fosters safety of passenger and cargo transport and diminish CO2 emissions due to timesavings of transport on road.

Introduction of ITS on E67 is the most feasible option to improve the efficiency of passenger and cargo transport in this corridor besides investment intensive infrastructure improvements. Project will approbate ITS-innovative approach widely exploited in EU, but insufficiently used in this region with a high multiplication potential.

Total indicative estimated budget of the project is 2 458 999,40 EUR (100%) of which 2 090 149,49 EUR (85%) is Programme co-financing and 368 849,91 EUR (15%) is project partner co-financing. Estimated project budget breakdown among project partners: Total estimated budget of the Latvian State Roads (Lead Partner) is 1 413 750,80 EUR (100%) of which 1 201 688,18EUR (85%) is Programme co-financing and 212 062,62 EUR (15%) is Latvian State Roads (public) co-financing.

Total indicative estimated budget of the Estonian Road Administration (Partner) is 1 045 248,60 EUR (100%) of which 888 461,31 EUR (85%) is Programme co-financing and 156 787,29 .50 EUR (15%) is Estonian Road Administration (public) co-financing. The proposed budget breakdown of the project implies that the Lead Partner will be responsible for overall project management, coordination and communication activities.

Project contacts: 80005555

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• Ape – Moniste

Within the scope of Estonian – Latvian programme the project “Reconstruction of road Ape –Moniste” implemented in 2014.

The parties involved in the project are Estonian Road Administration and SJSC “Latvian State Roads”.  Estonian Road Administration is the leading partner in this project.

The rights to perform construction works in both countries were awarded to the Estonian company AS „Teede Rev-2”. Construction supervision in performed by AS „Taalri Varahaldus” from Estonia.

After the implementation of the project improved the following roads section in Latvia:

1) Reconstruction of road P19 from Riga-Pskov highway to Ape town, km 0.0-1,815: cutting trees, excavation, cleaning, construction of ditches, soil removal,  construction of embankment and technological layer, recycling old asphalt pavement and base course, construction of asphalt pavement, profiling and compression of shoulders, installation of plastic culverts, road signs and delineators, road marking, installation of safety barriers, landscaping, reconstruction of electricity  and lighting system.

2) Reconstruction of road P19 from Ape town to Estonian-Latvian border, km 3.484-4.86: cutting trees, excavation and cleaning of ditches, earthworks, soil replacement, construction of base course, recycling old asphalt pavement,  construction of asphalt pavement, profiling and compression of shoulders, installation of plastic culverts, road signs,safety  barriers and delineators, road marking,electricity networks, landscaping.

3) Reconstruction of gravel road P39 from Aluksne to Ape, km 24.043-26.176 and 0,325 km stretch of Pasta street inside of Ape town: excavation and cleaning of ditches, construction of base course and asphalt pavement, installation of plastic culverts, profiling and compression of shoulders, installation of road signs and delineators, road marking, landscaping, reconstruction of electricity networks.

4) Reconstruction of road P39 from Aluksne to Ape, km 22,200-23,743: excavation and cleaning of ditches,recycling old asphalt, construction of asphalt pavement, installation of plastic culverts, road signs, delineators and safety barriers, road marking,landscaping.

The total amount of Programme funds to be received is 5 060 240,92 EUR (EST + LV) from which LV partner receives 1 920 101,04 EUR.

Project start date: 01.14.2014

Road construction ending date: 30.11.2014

Ending date of project: 30.06.2015

In the result safe and comfortable traffic between Ape town in Latvia and Moniste parish in Estonia will be ensured.

• Karksi – Nuia – Seda bridge

Project history

The project was initiated by Estonian Road Administration (hereinafter ERA) which invited SJSC “Latvian State Roads” (hereinafter LSR) to become an implementation partner of the project. The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter MoT) approved activities in this project with respective clause 33.7 of the Delegation Agreement.

On August 8, 2009, the Partnership Agreement was concluded between MoT and ERA. Estonian party was appointed to be the Leading Partner.

After procurement procedure organized by the Leading Partner in Pärnu it was declared that the winner of construction tender was Estonian consortium OǕ Valga Teed, who performed the construction works for 1503395.33 EUR. Construction supervision was performed by Estonian company AS Taalri Varahaldus for the total amount of 38 605.05 EUR (including VAT 21 % – 6700.05 EUR).

Commissioning statement of the construction site was signed on December 23, 2011.

Project description

According to the Schengen Agreement the development of the EU countries does not end with state boundaries. Therefore it is very important to plan and develop border zone infrastructure, and this served as the guideline of this project.

Currently only two border crossing sites between Latvia and Estonia have asphalt concrete pavement. They are located in Ainaži and Valka, in 200 km distance from one another.

Unguriņi border crossing point is located 60 km from Valka and 110 km from Ainaži border crossing point. There are other crossing points, too, but they all have gravel pavements and are connected only with local roads.

Within the project the section 0.820 km – 16.975 km of the road no. 54 Karksi – Nuia – Lilli in the Estonian territory and section 28.89 km – 35.00 km (reconstruction of 6.11 km asphalt concrete pavement) and section 48.00 km – 55.832 km (triple surface dressing of 7.832 km) of the road P17 Valmiera – Rūjiena – Estonian border was reconstructed. In total 13.942 km of the road P17 was reconstructed in the Latvian territory. Land acquisition was not necessary for project implementation since construction works were performed in the right-of-way of the existing road.

Project benefits

By implementing this project we acquired another border crossing point that connected the main road network of both countries. For Latvia it is road P17 leading to Valmiera and for Estonia it is road no. 54 that leads to Karksi Nuia and further to Tartu. Unguriņi crossing point could be an alternative to border crossing points in Ainaži and Valka that are located in 200 km distance from one another.

Unguriņi crossing point in 2009 was used by 21 785 persons and 9462 vehicles. It is predicted that after implementation of the project in 2012 it will be used by 30 000 persons and 20 000 vehicles. This will be achieved after implementing the project because:
1. Business and tourism environment will improve and it will create new jobs;
2. Income of local municipalities will increase;
3. Population of Viljandi rural area and Valmiera district will become stable or even increase;
4. Development of border zone districts will increase since approximately 50 000 tourists visit Valmiera district and Viljandi rural area every year;
5. Living conditions of border zone residents will improve. Road sections to be reconstructed are used by 6500 border zone residents every day;
6. New experience of road construction was acquired because reconstruction of gravel pavement was performed with triple surface dressing technology that is not currently applied in Latvia;
7. For project implementation in Latvia standard construction and supervision contracts of Estonia based on FIDIC contracts were taken as an example. It was a different experience for Latvian project management institution.

• Kilingi – Nõmme – Mazsalaca

Project EU 38849 “Reconstruction of the road Kilingi-Nõmme – Mazsalaca” is beening realised within the framework of the Estonia – Latvia Programme.

The project plans to solve the problem of limited accessibility of the border region by reconstructing and paving the road from Killingi-Nõmme (Estonia) to Mazsalaca (Latvia). This will significantly improve the situation for the local inhabitants, who currently suffer from the dust and bad road conditions, and will make the region more attractive and accessible for tourists and cargo carriers.

After procurement procedure organized by the Leading Partner in Pärnu it was declared that the winner of construction tender was Estonian consortium OǕ Valga Teed, who performed the construction works for 1 464 000 EUR( including VAT). Construction supervision was performed by Estonian company AS EA reng for the total amount of 14932,80 EUR (including VAT).

The total amount of Programme funds to be received is 2 625 666,26 EUR (EST + LV) from which LV partner receives 1 155 492,64 EUR.

Proper dust free road-connection link between Kilingi- nomme and Mazsalaca city is reconstructwd( 16,199 km and 17,436 in LV). The road straighter, with sufficient dranage, culverts, diches, communications, traffic organization and safety equipment and turn-offs. Road surface is covered with triple surface dressing, 1-3,5 ply chip sealing.

Project star date: 5.12.2011

Road construction ending date in LV: 30.11.2012

Planed ending date of project: 4.12.2013