From the Cable-Stayed Bridge to the Railway Bridge: A New Bicycle Path Approved in Riga for €1.28 Million

On April 16, the Finance and Administrative Affairs Committee of the Riga City Council supported the allocation of funding for the construction of a bicycle path along the 11th November Embankment, from the Cable-Stayed Bridge to the Railway Bridge. This is part of the bicycle route from the city center to Dārziņi and a step towards improving the cycling infrastructure in central Riga.

As part of the project, a bicycle path approximately 1.1 kilometers long will be built along the 11th November Embankment, separated from vehicle and pedestrian traffic, between the Cable-Stayed and Railway Bridges. It will become part of the overall bicycle route "Center – Kengarags – Rumbula – Dārziņi," which has a total length of about 14 kilometers from the Cable-Stayed Bridge to the Dārziņi area.

The project will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, from the Cable-Stayed Bridge to the Stone Bridge, cyclist movement will be organized using traffic management solutions and road markings. In the second phase, from the Stone Bridge to the Railway Bridge, more extensive construction work is planned to create a separate bicycle path, separated from vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The project also includes significant improvements to pedestrian infrastructure. A new pedestrian crossing will be built near the Stone Bridge, providing easier access to the pedestrian promenade from Kalku Street. It is also planned to update the promenade surface between the Stone and Railway Bridges by replacing the existing concrete paving with granite slabs. Future transport infrastructure development projects also plan to construct a controlled pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Muitass Street and the 11th November Embankment to improve safe movement between the city center and the Daugava Embankment.

After the project is completed, continuous and safe cycling access will be ensured from the Stone Bridge to Old Riga, the cycling infrastructure network in the Central Market area, and the bicycle path along the Radzinja Embankment.

A total of €1,285,709 including VAT has been allocated from the Riga budget for the implementation of the project. Construction work is expected to be completed within four months from the signing of the contract, allowing for relatively quick infrastructure improvements and providing residents with tangible results.