People flocked to see the new-look railway station in Valga, Estonia, following a major renovation project. It was a real happening, equally appreciated by residents living on the Latvian side, in Valka. Today, following years of intense cooperation and negotiation, both communities now benefit from modern information boards, better bus and train link-ups and, thanks to line upgrades, faster connections to both nations’ capitals.
- 13 July 2018
The feedback has been only positive. The community has definitely benefited from the freshly renovated station building. The lobby is warmer and the whole building friendlier for visitors and residents alike… providing a fresh outlook for the Valga-Valka twin-towns.
There are two stations on the border of Estonia and Latvia. One is in Valga on the Estonian side and the second is in the small town of Lugaži (Valka) in Latvia. But today, residents on both sides of the border use the Valga railway station, where they can get trains to either capital, Tallinn or Riga, and generally enjoy better public transport connections in the district.
The EU-funded project helped to renovate the station, lobby and cafeteria, bringing them up to today’s standards and improving services for both Estonian and Latvian travellers.
Modern services
The Valga junction is part of the main Riga-Pskov rail connection. Its classic brick building dates back to 1890 and the last time it received major attention was after World War II. For the next 60 years, the building and facilities were maintained by the city, but by 2012 it was clear investment would be needed to refurbish the station.
With peeling paint, outdated fittings and problems with plumbing and flooding, the main passenger and reception areas (lounge, ticket office, waiting areas) were a priority. The structure itself, including the facade, roof, electricity, heating and water system, also received a major overhaul.
Now the common areas of the station look fresh, beautiful and more accessible, according to passengers. Electronic boards mounted on the walls display bus- and train schedules, including international travel times in multiple languages. The front of the building also has new information boards displaying the time, date and air temperature.
Transport hub for the twin-towns
Residents of Valka make up a large proportion of the regular passenger flow through Valga station, which is why it was targeted for renovation, to act as a joint railway and bus transportation hub for the twin-towns. Estonian Railways had previously renovated the line between Valga and Tartu, including new platforms. Together, the improvements in infrastructure and comfort mean better conditions for travellers from both sides of the border, and pave the way for better overall service, including faster train connections on major routes such as Riga-Valmiera and Valga-Tallinn.
Feedback on the renovations from passengers and the community has been very positive. The “warmer, friendlier” station building serves as a hub for the twin-towns and inspiration for new developments in Valka, including adding information boards with bus- and train schedules and city maps for Valka and Valga. Common city planning like this makes sense, saving resources and strengthening ties between the two cities.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Renovation of Valga-Valka Railway Station” is EUR 481 927, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 399 999 through the “Objective 2 Increased Cohesion of the Programme Area” for the 2007-2013 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Reducing isolation through improved internal and external connectivity of the programme area”.