In Riga, the dismantled pavement in construction projects, which does not return to the streets, goes into storage. Before that, it is weighed and transferred to storage with a deed, and in the same way, when it is necessary to re-lay the historical pavement, it is weighed and removed from storage with a deed.
Currently, approximately 6,300 tons of various granite products are stored, and there are two warehouses in Riga – Vienības gatve 20 and Skanstes iela 16. The LTV program did not manage to get an agreement to see this pavement in person. Also several years ago, when we wanted to see the reserves of the historical pavement, we were refused.
“At the moment, there is an active process for changing these sheds. Therefore, as soon as this pavement is moved and assembled for permanent use, it would be possible to immediately access and view it on site. We are currently moving from one place to another, we will look at the capacity options – whether it will be placed in one, or in two places for further storage,” said Valters Krasts, Head of the Maintenance Department of the Outer Space and Mobility Department of the Riga City Council.
Pavement storage contracts with SIA “Pillar Contractor” have been concluded until November 22 of this year. The amount of the contract for the storage of granite products is 41,999 euros. The terms of the contract provide for a storage fee of 2 cents per ton per day. The amount includes cargo acceptance with weighing and inspection, cargo transfer with weighing and inspection, sorting, territory rental, 24-hour security of the territory.
“Maintenance was organized through a tender, with a contract. Contractual obligations, like everywhere, are terminated and when new contracts start, storage locations can be changed,” stated Krasts.
But why does the municipality itself not store the pavement in one of its plots, but instead pays the companies for years?
Signe Tupiņa-Jauniņa, Deputy Head of the Construction Management Department of the Riga City Council’s Transport Infrastructure Department, explained in a written response: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Mobility has so far decided to purchase a service. Just like maintenance, construction, design, vehicle towing services, construction supervision, installation of road signs are purchased and the like. The department organizes the performance of autonomous functions, this is an acceptable behavior. The municipality carries out control and administrative work in this regard, which allows maximum concentration on the performance of functions.”
So the municipality pays the rent to store the historic pavement. But it is already planned to bring the pavement from at least one of these places to the municipal land. As a result, there have already been large expenses over the years and now, of course, you will also have to pay for the transfer. Perhaps this pavement will lead to Kleistu Street.
The first contract for the storage of granite products was concluded 18 years ago – on December 27, 2006. But shouldn’t Riga have kept, guarded and used its own pavement instead of just spending money on its maintenance?
“Such options are also evaluated. Perhaps part of the pavement will be stored here, on Kleistu Street. It should be noted here that this is an expensive material, safety must be ensured, therefore all these aspects are evaluated. On the other hand, relocation is already included in the contracts at the expense of the custodian “It’s not just about storage. It has to be listed, weighed, issued, received according to the acts,” explained Krasts.
However, the LTV program did not come to the inspection of the pavement once again. However, it is known that a possible change of storage is being evaluated. Determining the cost of transporting paving stones is currently a premature question. It is also unclear where the 6,300 tons of Riga pavement will be stored in the future.
