Cornerstone laid for the new LGS air traffic control tower which will improve civilian and military flight control
Today, 7 March, the cornerstone was ceremonially laid for the new air traffic control tower and building extension of state joint stock company “Latvijas gaisa satiksme” (LGS) which in future will allow for the development and modernisation of air navigation services, civilian and military flight control to guarantee safety and also open up new opportunities for Riga Airport. A time capsule containing a message for future generations was placed inside the cornerstone.
“The new air traffic control tower will improve aviation safety and allow for a higher number of flights thus driving forward economic development. Furthermore, in the current geopolitical landscape it is crucial that this tower will be used not only for controlling civilian, but also military flights. It is important to note that half of the project funding, i.e., more than EUR 26 million, have been provided as a grant from the Connecting Europe Facility. This is a concrete example of European Union funds promoting Latvia’s security and development,” Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, said at the cornerstone laying ceremony.
Dāvids Tauriņš, Chair of the Board of LGS, placed into the time capsule a communication tool used by air traffic controllers – a pair of headphones –, flags of the Republic of Latvia, the European Union and LGS, the 7 March aircraft take-off and landing schedule at Riga Airport, and a message for future generations emphasising the importance of the tower in ensuring flight safety and urging for continued development of air traffic services.
“We have been working on this idea for several years, and the time has now come to lay the cornerstone of the building and launch the most important phase: the actual construction. The tower will open up completely new opportunities for LGS, Riga Airport, and our cooperation partners: the Air Force and the Border Guard, as well as airlines and passengers,” Mr Tauriņš said.
The planned cost of construction of the project “Reconstruction of the LGS building with the construction of a new air traffic control tower complex” totals EUR 51.3 million (without VAT). The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is co-funding the project aimed at improving and adapting infrastructure for dual use, namely for both civilian and military purposes, with EUR 26.263 million. LGS will also receive a favourable loan in the amount of EUR 25 million from the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).
The new ATC tower will stand at 49.9 meters on a building site of 5958 square meters and with a total interior area of 12 185.8 square meters. The tower will have one level underground and nine above ground.
The existing LGS ATC tower was built in 1973, meaning all its MEP and design solutions are those used in the 1970s. With the airport evolving, it has become increasingly difficult to fulfil its needs and introduce innovative technologies with the existing ATC tower. It will, however, remain as a back-up tower at Riga Airport.
Construction work is being performed by SIA “AIMASA”. The construction supervisor is SIA “PMG”. The project was designed by supplier union ATCT 2020 consisting of architectural firm SIA “ARHIS ARHITEKTI” and U.S. architectural, engineering and interior design company “LEO A DALY”.
