In Latvia, various methods are planned to change and adjust road signs indicating directions to Russia and Belarus by September 30 of this year. This follows from the information message from the Ministry of Transport submitted for approval on the legal acts portal.
Further actions involve the phased implementation of various solutions regarding road signs and indicators mentioning Russia and Belarus — including partial adjustments, replacement of individual signs, or improvements in route indications using road numbering and pan-European designations.
It is planned that the replacement or partial adjustment of signs will be carried out on an individual basis and will be completed by September 30.
According to information provided by the state enterprise "Latvijas valsts ceļi" (LVC), a total of 235 signs and informational boards containing the names of settlements in Russia and Belarus have been identified on state highways.
The ministry explains that with partial adjustments of major signs with multiple directions and full replacement of those that explicitly mention Russia or Belarus, the total cost of work on the network of state highways may amount to around 120,000 euros including VAT. This amount includes possible additional expenses related to changes in traffic organization, temporary schemes, and carrying out work under conditions of heavy traffic.
There is also a technical risk associated with partial adjustments — for example, closing or covering individual names. According to the ministry, such an approach may lead to an uneven reflective surface, especially at night, as well as deteriorate the uniformity and readability of signs, which could potentially negatively impact road safety.
Therefore, choosing a cheaper but technically imperfect solution may entail long-term risks and additional costs in the future. Thus, a unified and comprehensive approach is necessary.
The ministry has concluded that work on the replacement or adjustment of signs can be carried out in phases within the existing funding for road maintenance, completing them by September 30.
It is also noted that such signs have been identified only in Daugavpils and Rēzekne within the municipal road network. In this regard, the Ministry urges local governments to plan the proposed solutions, prioritizing those signs that are in outdated technical condition or can be replaced by September 30 during current maintenance or road construction.
The ministry emphasizes that the improvement of the road sign system regarding indications of settlements in Russia and Belarus should be carried out with priority given to road safety, Latvia's international obligations, as well as the country's foreign policy position and its solidarity with Ukraine.
