Residents of Rezekne Have Been Concerned About the Safety of the Viaduct for Several Years 0 132

The concern began three years ago due to the deterioration of the sidewalks, and now holes of various sizes are forming on both sides of the bridge in the pedestrian zone. The local government is preparing a reconstruction project, and a safer pedestrian crossing under the viaduct over the railway has been established in parallel.

The crumbling sidewalks and the mesh under the bridge have become the main causes of anxiety for residents, especially regarding the safety of children. A resident of Rezekne, Anastasia, says: "There are now large holes, the sidewalk is uneven. It is very dangerous for a mother with a stroller there - at any moment a wheel can fall into a hole. The bridge cannot be crossed by two people, only one at a time."

Aline echoes the same sentiment: "It is dangerous under the bridge because everything is falling. A protective film has been installed now, but I don’t know how safe it is. If a large piece falls, someone could definitely get hit on the head."

The viaduct has connected the Northern District with the rest of the city since 1981. Following residents' complaints, the local government signed a contract this month to develop a reconstruction plan.

"The problems are related to the damage of load-bearing structures, specifically in the area of the pedestrian sidewalks. They also visually look unattractive. The sidewalks are not closed yet, but, of course, one must be careful," noted Georgy Orlov, head of the Rezekne City Environment and Development Department.

When asked about the safety of the bridge, no responsible official can provide a precise answer at the moment - a final conclusion will be made after an inspection conducted by the design bureau "Projekts3". There is a possibility that in the future the viaduct will be used only for motor vehicles, while the pedestrian sidewalks will be dismantled. Pedestrians will be redirected to a new crossing under the bridge over the railway.

"This is still being discussed and will depend on the technical conclusion," Orlov added.

Although most residents are already using the crossing under the bridge, opinions about the new pedestrian crossing are divided. Anastasia suggested installing a traffic light at this location to warn of an approaching train.

Preliminary costs for the repair of the viaduct are estimated at no less than 5 million euros. The local government currently does not have access to a special funding program but hopes to attract support from the government and ministries, particularly the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defense.