Once again, tragic statistics of road fatalities, and the first reports of icing problems have already emerged. In the TV3 program "900 Seconds," the chairman of the board of Latvijas Valsts ceļi (Latvian State Roads) Martiņš Lazdovskis explained whether improvements are expected next year on both major and secondary roads in the country.
Lazdovskis noted that despite the initially planned reduction in funding, the industry will manage to maintain the budget at this year's level next year:
"The budget available for both investment and road maintenance will remain at the current year's level."
This means that there will be no sharp breakthroughs, but painful cuts will also be avoided. At the same time, the enterprise will save money, but "this will in no way affect road users."
Speaking about the state of the road network as a whole, Lazdovskis emphasized that in recent years, the main highways of Latvia have significantly improved in terms of comfort and surface quality. This year, work has been completed on the Vidzeme highway, and reconstruction of the Daugavpils highway has begun.
However, traffic intensity is increasing, especially in the Riga area and on Via Baltica, where, according to him, "it is increasingly necessary to talk about creating safe four-lane roads."
The available funding does not currently allow for the implementation of such projects, so the government is preparing alternatives – public-private partnership projects, including a bypass road in Bauska, and is also counting on funding from the EU cohesion fund after 2028.
Lazdovskis emphasized the strategic importance of the Riga ring road, stating that projects for its reconstruction are at a high level of readiness and can be started as soon as funds become available.
Next year, a number of significant improvements in road safety are expected.
Lazdovskis reported that a special traffic safety program will be implemented, and the long-awaited project for the reconstruction of one of the most accident-prone areas – the Apšupe intersection – will begin, where a two-level interchange will be built.
Similar changes are planned in Carnikava and other locations.
Work will also continue to improve visibility, clear shrubbery, update road markings, and new equipment for recording average speed violations will be installed.
Despite the planned measures, Lazdovskis emphasized that responsibility also lies with the drivers themselves, as 107 people have already died on the roads this year.
