OREANDA-NEWS. On July 02, 2009 Latvijas dzelzcels (LDz) from cooperation partners received the rest of 780 new construction turnouts, which were ordered for the change of turnouts in East-West rail corridor, reported the press-centre of Latvijas dzelzcels.

With the reception of all turnouts LDz completes the EU Cohesion fund financed project for the change of 780 from more than 3000 turnouts in East-West corridor.

The aim of this project is to improve safety of passengers, freight and rolling stock on tracks. “The setting of new turnouts will help us not only to reduce the risk of accidents, but also to decrease noises and vibration on tracks, as well as to save maintenance costs and time, because the new turnouts allow higher speed at the moment of crossing,” explained U g is Magonis, Chairman of the Board of LDz.

Turnout setting works started in 2003 with the change of first turnout at Kandava station. Each year LDz set 130 turnouts. The project was implemented in two phases.

At the end of the first phase in August 2005 Austrian – Latvian joint company VAE GmbH/ VAE R i ga completed the supply of 390 turnouts, termite welding portions, tool sets, track and spare parts according to the contract.

In the second phase a supply contract was concluded and realized for the supply of 370 turnouts in the period from 2006 until 2009.

“The project of the change of turnouts and other Cohesion fund projects, which are implemented in railway will improve safety of passenger and freight transportations, throughput in transit corridor, as well as will increase competitiveness of Latvijas dzelzce ls and Latvia in international transport market,” admitted U.Magonis.

Assembling of turnouts was done in the factory of VAE R i ga in Riga region.

Concern Latvijas dzelzce ls comprises the holding company SJSC Latvijas dzelzcels and four subsidiaries – LDz Cargo Ltd., which is a rail freight carrier; LDz infrastruktura Ltd., which provides infrastructure construction and maintenance works; LDz ritosa sastava serviss Ltd., which provides rolling stock repairs and maintenance work, and LDz Apsardze – a security company.