Although the Stone Bridge underwent major repairs about 30 years ago, it requires repairs again. Meanwhile, the Cable and Air Bridges are already queued for reconstruction.
Currently, the Zemgale Viaduct is undergoing reconstruction, while the already closed Alton Bridge, connecting Altonavas and Vacietas streets, requires demolition and the construction of a new structure.
This means that bridges are deteriorating faster than the city can repair them.
The technical condition of the bridges is checked regularly, and repairs are planned in advance. However, unforeseen circumstances can arise, such as when both the Deglavs and Brassov Bridges are closed for repairs at the same time. Or when it becomes known just 48 hours in advance that the Alton Bridge will be closed for traffic.
This year, plans are in place to repair the asphalt in the area of the tram tracks on the Stone Bridge. However, the entire bridge can only be "put on hold" for repairs after the reconstruction of the Cable Bridge, which has not even started yet. As they say, wait for the five-year plan.
So it turns out that there are fewer bridges in Riga than desired, but more than it can maintain. According to the Riga City Council, there are 138 tunnels, overpasses, and bridges in the capital, while artificial intelligence estimates more than 140-145. The question is how each counts, but all must be maintained and regularly repaired.
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