RIGA, Jan 16 (LETA) - On Friday, Riga City Council signed a contract for reconstruction of Vansu (Suspension) Bridge, the municipality informed LETA.

As reported, the reconstruction of the Vansu Bridge will cost EUR 69.8 million, according to information published in the Electronic Procurement System. The municipality has selected the supplier association Vansu Tilts as the winner of the tender for the reconstruction, design, and supervision of Vansu Bridge. The association consists of Hanza Construction Group, Tilts, and Baltijas Maksligo Buvju Projektesanas Birojs Vektors T.

However, the other bidder has contested the results of the tender at the Procurement Supervision Bureau. Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) commented that if the contract was not signed because of the dispute, Vansu Bridge would have to be closed to traffic in 2027.

Now Riga City Council has been informed by the Procurement Monitoring Bureau that the other bidder's claim about the tender results was unfounded. Pursuant to the bureau's decision, the municipality has signed the contract with Vansu Tilts.

"Today we have signed the contract, which means that design and reconstruction works may get under way now," said Kleinbergs. Reconstruction of the bridge will commence in 2027 so that the bridge does not have to be closed, he said.

Vansu Bridge is an important transportation artery in Riga, and the municipality's aim is to ensure safety of the bridge without disrupting traffic in the center of the city, said Kleinbergs.

As reported, Riga plans to borrow up to EUR 84.46 million for the reconstruction of the Vansu (Suspension) Bridge in the Latvian capital, according to a draft decision approved by the City Council Financial and Administrative Affairs Committee.

The reconstruction of the Soviet-era suspension bridge will require up to EUR 6.7 million in 2026, up to EUR 42 million in 2027, and up to 35.76 million in 2028.

The total length of the Vansu Bridge is 593.6 meters, with the main pylon reaching a height of 108.7 meters. The project includes the resurfacing of the carriageway, construction of a divided pedestrian zone, and cycle infrastructure.

The project also includes replacement of the suspension cables. The total weight of the new cables will be 385.5 tons.

Riga has a total of 145 bridges, overpasses, and pedestrian tunnels. Some of them are in need of repair.