Currently, the total length of the network of state roads in Latvia is 19,823 kilometers, of which about 6000 kilometers no longer meet the criteria established for state roads. This was stated in an interview with the LETA agency by the chairman of the board of the state joint stock company "Latvijas valsts ceļi" (Latvian State Roads / LVC) Mārtiņš Lazdovskis, as reported by LETA.
“This structure of the road network with three different categories is quite specific and typical for the Baltic countries. Such a system is virtually non-existent in other countries,” noted the head of LVC, adding that, for example, in Austria, the network of state roads totals only 2400 kilometers.
According to Lazdovskis, the network managed by LVC includes 1676 kilometers of main roads of state significance, 5463 kilometers of regional roads, and 12,684 kilometers of local roads.
He also noted that each year LVC transfers individual sections of roads to local governments — about 40–50 kilometers per year. These are roads with the lowest traffic intensity, in which LVC does not plan to invest in the coming years. “However, from the perspective of local governments, these are by no means low-intensity roads,” added Lazdovskis.
He emphasized that overall, 6000 kilometers of roads no longer meet the definition of a state road. Lazdovskis reminded that the Law on State Roads was adopted at a time when Latvia had more than 487 parishes, and any road connecting two neighboring parishes was considered a state road.
“Now the number of local governments has decreased tenfold, and as a result, the majority of state roads now actually represent internal roads of a single local government, not extending beyond its borders, and therefore do not meet the definition of a state road. These roads effectively serve municipal functions,” he explained.
In response to the question of whether the network of state roads should be reduced, he stated that this topic needs to be discussed, and it will not be possible to avoid this discussion.
Lazdovskis also pointed out that this would be a systemic reform that would allow each road owner to see the real picture: which roads are under their management and in what condition they are, especially considering that the state does not plan to invest in these 6000 kilometers. “For comparison: if the average targeted grant to local governments per kilometer is about 800 euros, then about 1600 euros is transferred from the state along with the road. This means that with the transferred roads, local governments receive twice the amount compared to their own average grant,” he added.
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