Since the regain of independence of the Baltic States in the beginning of 90-ties the road transport corridor Via Baltica (Helsinki - Tallinn - Riga - Kaunas - Warsaw) has become the main transport artery in North-South direction from Finland through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania to Poland. In the Conference of European Ministers of Transport in 1994 Via Baltica was defined as the part of European multi-modal transport Corridor 1. The route ensures harmonic integration of the Latvian road network in the European road network, as well as, contributes to the development of tourism and service sectors. Since 1996 the route Via Baltica in the European road network is designated with international road index "E67". Considering the international importance of the Via Baltica delegated representatives of the involved countries set up a Monitoring Committee in order to ensure sustainable development of the route and co-ordinate the activities to be implemented. Under its leadership the First Via Baltica Investment Programme for 1996-2000 was worked out in 1995. The Programme has been successfully completed. The implementation of the First Via Baltica Investment Programme has contributed to the implementation of new technologies, methods and road maintenance management in the route and the rest of the Latvian road network, and it also contributed to the establishment of modern road winter maintenance service, traffic safety improvement projects prepared by foreign consultants, preparation of a uniform tourist information system which served as a basis for a national tourism information sign system in Latvia, etc. At present Via Baltica development projects are under way. Latvia as a candidate country of the European union receives support from the EU assistance funds, which play a major role in the bilateral financing of the Via Baltica Development Programme. Development of Via Baltica route is a part of the activities to be undertaken in the road network in order to provide a planned development of efficient, environmentally friendly, balanced multi-modal transportation system which would meet the need of qualitative and quantitative transportation with specific safety, guarantees and acceptable costs, increase the choice opportunities in passenger and goods transport, contribute to regional development, as well as integration in the European transport system. For the covering abstract see ITRD E135448.
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