Riga is entering one of the most intensive construction seasons in recent years — works are planned at more than 200 sites, with investments exceeding 300 million euros.
The municipality of Riga promises to complete the fourth phase of the Southern Bridge project this year and to put it into operation at the beginning of next year. Overall, this construction season in the capital will be particularly active — works are planned at approximately 200 sites, reports TV3 News.
Kristaps Kauliņš, the director of the Department of External Space and Mobility of the Riga City Council, noted that changes in traffic organization are expected in the near future, which will significantly alleviate the entry into Riga from the direction of Bauska and Jelgava. This year, it is also planned to complete works on the Zemgale Bridge and the overpass, as well as to create the Zemgale Mobility Point. In addition, the completion of works is expected on the overpass to Kundzin'sala. According to him, as the works are completed, traffic will become freer, not more complicated.
At the same time, works will be carried out to renew the road surface on major highways, such as Ulmanis Gatve Street, Mukusalas Street, and Jugla, where drivers will have to deal with prolonged restrictions. The development of cycling infrastructure continues in Riga — this year, three bike paths are being created in the directions of Piņķi, Ulbroka, and Kekava. In the coming months, this will lead to even more significant changes in traffic, as works in many places will take place simultaneously. The active phase of construction will begin as soon as weather conditions stabilize. However, the season is marked by a serious challenge — rising construction costs associated with increasing oil prices.
Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs noted that in some contracts, price increase coefficients are already provided, but they need to be justified. According to him, this is a challenge for builders as well. In large projects, issues of cost increases will have to be addressed individually, assessing how objective they are and supported by figures. At the same time, a number of projects may be completed actually earlier than the planned deadlines.
Particular attention is paid to road safety — especially for pedestrians and cyclists. An additional two million euros have been allocated for this purpose. This year, the capital plans to create at least 30 new pedestrian crossings and improve a number of existing ones. In addition, measures are planned to enhance traffic safety near several schools.
Marta Kotello, the chairwoman of the Riga City Council's Committee on Communications and Transport, emphasized that traffic is planned to be reorganized near educational institutions to exclude transit traffic, as the installation of "speed bumps" alone does not solve the problem of student safety.
Overall, this season, more than 300 million euros are planned to be invested in street, pedestrian, and cycling infrastructure — both continuing already started projects and starting new ones.
