Riga, Jan 5 (LETA) - If the reconstruction of the Vansu (Suspension) Bridge in Riga does not start soon, it will have to be closed in 2027, Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) said in an interview with Latvian Radio this morning.

The tender for the reconstruction of the Vansu Bridge is currently under appeal and the Procurement Monitoring Bureau has until January 12 to decide on the complaint. Kleinbergs hopes that the tender has been "professionally handled", so the complaint will be rejected and the contract for the reconstruction works can be concluded after that date.

If work does not start soon, the bridge will be closed in 2027, the politician said.

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.

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, the construction of a divided pedestrian zone and cycle infrastructure.

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

According to Firmas.lv, Hanza Construction Group's turnover in 2024 was EUR 37,861,377, and its profit - EUR 9,404,114. The owner of the company is Aleksejs Bakanovs.

Tilts' turnover last year was EUR 54,115,683 and its profit was EUR 3,733,369. The company is owned by Artjoms and Sergejs Gridnevs.

The turnover of Vektors T, owned by Aleksandrs Varavvs, was EUR 708,624 in 2024, while the profit amounted to EUR 2,654.

As reported, two bidders applied for the tender to rebuild the bridge.

Vansu Tilts association of suppliers submitted a bid for EUR 69,802,998.

Meanwhile, association BBVA, which includes Baltijas Buve, Abora, Latvian-Lithuanian joint venture Viadukts and general partnership 3A, offered to reconstruct the bridge for EUR 70,327,026.

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