EU projects in Liepaja

Liepaja has started active work aimed at implementing in the upcoming years more than 20 different projects with significant co-financing from EU Structural Funds. The total investment amount exceeds 200 MEUR.

Already in 2009 the reconstruction of Liepaja's historical Seaside Park and the Station's Square will start. EU funding is attracted also for the construction of bicycle paths throughout the city. Several projects with EU support are planned in the education sector. This will allow to built a new kindergarten. Substantial resources will be invested in the energy efficiency measures of school buildings thus saving the cost of energy resources and improving the urban environment. Energy efficiency improvement projects will be also implemented in the social dwelling house, hospital and other public buildings.

Some of the projects are of vital importance for further economic development of the city. The largest of them is the dredging of the port which will improve its competitiveness and service quality. It is also planned to build the port access road improving traffic flow and safety. Considerable EU funds will be invested in the development of business infrastructure facilitating attraction of new businesses, introduction of new technologies and creation of new jobs. The largest EU Structural Funds program funds in Liepaja will be invested in the improvement and development of transport infrastructure. The extension of the tram line will create a possibility of a whole neighborhood to use this convenient, fast and environmentally friendly mode of public transport. Another major project is reconstruction and construction of a transport corridor throughout the city as a backbone for the urban transport system. The implementation of this project will considerably help to organize better traffic flows in Liepaja separating cargo transport to the Port of Liepaja and industrial areas from the total urban infrastructure, improving public transport organization. Besides, it will exert a positive impact on the environment.

Other projects will provide modernization of the lighting system resulting in significant energy savings; reconstruction and modernization of Liepaja airport runway; development of health care system; reconstruction of water supply and sewerage systems; clean-up of the polluted city canal. The city has defined the planning and realization of EU co-financed projects as its highest priority because they can create high added value, improve infrastructure and make business infrastructure and urban environment more attractive and stimulate the local economy.