Ahead of Jāņi, heavy traffic and major jams are expected at the exits from Riga. Drivers are urged to plan their routes in advance and consider the numerous road works throughout Latvia.
On Friday afternoon, drivers should expect heavy traffic and traditional pre-holiday jams when leaving Riga. Due to the intense traffic and possible congestion, Latvijas valsts ceļi (LVC) urges drivers to allow extra time for their journey.
At the same time, the company notes one of the most significant changes that could alleviate traffic flow in one of the busiest suburban directions is the improvement of the situation on the Bauska highway (A7). On Friday, both lanes will be open for unrestricted traffic entering Riga. However, the company reminds that construction work in this area will continue until early July, so drivers should still consider the possibility of temporary traffic restrictions.
Meanwhile, an active road work season continues across the country, with traffic restrictions currently in place on 69 sections of state roads. LVC once again urges drivers to adhere to the restrictions and not to run red lights in repair zones, to ensure road safety and avoid creating additional congestion.
Longest travel times on major highways:
On the Daugavpils highway (A6) from Gospodori to Nīcgale, there are two sections with traffic lights and speed limits of 50 and 70 km/h; it will take about 40 minutes to traverse this section. At the Daugavpils bypass road (A14) interchange and the section to Svēte, there are two traffic light sections; travel time is about 30 minutes. On the Daugavpils highway (A6) from Kalniši to Lūbaste, it will take 25 minutes to pass through. On the road from Jēkabpils to Rēzekne to Ludza to the Russian border (Terehova) (A12), near Ludza, the journey will take about 20 minutes.
Most significant restrictions on regional roads:
Longest travel time (55 minutes): on the Gulbene to Balvi to Viļaka to the Russian border (Vientuli) (P35) road section from Litene to Balvi, where seven traffic light sections are in place. 40 minutes: on the Bauska to Aizkraukle (P87) road from Ozolāine to Barbele, where four traffic light sections are operational. The section near Ozolāine is closed to transit traffic, using a local bypass road. 35 minutes: on the Valdgale to Roja (P126) road from Valdemārpils to Rude (six traffic light sections) and on the Ilmāja to Priedkalne to the Lithuanian border (P114) road from Priedkalne to the Lithuanian border (four traffic light sections). Approximately 30 minutes: should be expected on the Cēsis to Vecpiebalga to Madona (P30) road from Vecpiebalga to Madona, on the Tukums to Kesterciems to Mērsrags to Kolka (P131) road from Tukums to Kesterciems, as well as on the Tīnūži to Koknese (P80) road on both separate repair sections (from the Krape intersection to Koknese and from the Kranciems quarry to the Emergency Brigade park).
Current information on traffic restrictions can be viewed on the map at the LVC website lvceli.lv. Operational information about the situation on state roads can be obtained or reported by calling the toll-free information hotline 80005555.
