The closure of the overpass will cause certain inconveniences, however, the safety risks that may arise from providing maintenance work on the overpass in winter are too high, the municipality informs.
By carrying out a regular observation of the technical condition of the traffic overpass over the railway on Altonavas street, which was recommended in the previously received opinion, it was concluded that the overpass vault damage has increased. There are extensive damages in the waterproofing of the roadway, so the concrete is crumbling around the cracks due to damage caused by moisture and frost, and fresh concrete crumbling has been found in the middle part of the arch and near the sidewalk consoles. Concrete spalls are also formed due to the load caused by vehicles. Currently, debris from the overpass, falling onto the railway track area, also poses a threat to train traffic.
“For several years, we have been trying to get clarity from the Ministry of Transport regarding the future of the Altonava bridge in the context of the construction of Rail Baltica – as part of the implementation of this project, the Altonava bridge was supposed to be demolished, therefore the Riga City Council constantly monitored the technical condition of the bridge, maintained the bridge, but did not make capital investments. The complications of the Rail Baltica project are obviously taking longer, while the latest opinion received today on the technical condition of the bridge forces Riga to take action and close the bridge to car traffic for safety reasons. I am aware that this is not good news for the residents of Pārdaugava and Pierīga, but safety comes first and the Department of Outer Space and Mobility is already working on the construction of a crossing over the railway, as well as preparing a project for strengthening the bridge structures or building a temporary bridge,” says Riga City Council’s Traffic and Transport Department chairman of the committee, Olaf Pulks.
In the provided report, the experts recommend closing the overpass to vehicular traffic, but allowing the movement of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as continuing crack monitoring until the dismantling of the overpass structures begins. Also, in winter, the transmission can be cleaned with mechanized vehicles whose mass does not exceed 5 tons.
Taking into account the recommendations of experts and the fact that the equipment used in winter maintenance works exceeds the mentioned mass, the municipality has decided to close vehicle traffic. Currently, it is planned to close the overpass to traffic within a month, but the restrictions could come into effect sooner if winter-like weather occurs. The municipality will inform separately in the next few weeks about the upcoming entry into force of traffic restrictions and bypass roads.
The Department of Outdoor Space and Mobility has already conducted a study on the construction of a possible railway crossing. The technical inspection of Latvian Railways does not allow the crossing on Ojāra Vācieša Street. As an alternative to the location of the crossing, there is Robežu Street, however, the construction time of the crossing could take approximately eight months. Also, until the end of this week, the technical study of the Altonava overpass will continue, during which the option of rebuilding the bridge will be determined, which will be the most economically beneficial.
It has already been reported that, after research and analytical calculations of the overpass structures, the operation of the overpass was allowed for another two years, on the condition that its technical condition does not continue to deteriorate. Also, in order to improve traffic safety, several short-term measures had to be taken, as well as a regular inspection of the technical condition of the overpass in order to detect changes in time. The municipality also received recommendations to demolish the existing structure and build a new overpass.
Interview: Understanding the Closure of the Altonavas Street Overpass
Editor (Time.news): Good day, and thank you for joining us. Today, we’re diving into the recent decision to close the overpass on Altonavas Street due to safety concerns. We have with us Olaf Pulks, the chairman of the Traffic and Transport Department at Riga City Council. Olaf, thank you for being here.
Olaf Pulks: Thank you for having me. It’s an important topic that needs addressing.
Editor: Let’s get straight to it. The closure of the overpass has been attributed to safety risks during maintenance work, particularly in winter. Can you explain what prompted this decision?
Olaf Pulks: Certainly. Over the past few years, we’ve been monitoring the technical condition of the Altonava bridge closely, especially given its crucial role in connection with the Rail Baltica project. Recent inspections have revealed an increase in damage, specifically to the waterproofing of the roadway. Moisture and frost have caused significant deterioration, including crumbling concrete that poses a serious risk—not only to vehicles but significantly to train traffic below.
Editor: That sounds concerning. Were there any alternative options considered to avoid closing the bridge?
Olaf Pulks: We explored several alternatives, including limited access for vehicles, but the ongoing damage and the risk of debris falling onto the railway tracks made that solution impractical. The experts strongly recommended that we prioritize safety, which is why we are moving to close it to all vehicular traffic while still allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use it.
Editor: It seems like a tough decision for the local residents. What measures are being taken to mitigate the impact on the community, especially for those who rely on this route?
Olaf Pulks: We fully understand the inconvenience this decision presents for residents of Pārdaugava and Pierīga. To alleviate some of the impact, our Department of Outdoor Space and Mobility is actively working on a project to construct a new crossing over the railway and is also considering strengthening the existing bridge or building a temporary one. We aim to keep communication open, ensuring residents are informed about upcoming traffic restrictions and the alternative routes we’re developing.
Editor: Regarding the maintenance and future of the overpass, what recommendations are experts providing for the short-term?
Olaf Pulks: The recommendation is clear: close the overpass to vehicular traffic while allowing pedestrian and cyclist access. We will continue to monitor the cracks and overall conditions until the dismantling process begins. Also, any winter maintenance, where necessary, will be performed with lightweight mechanical vehicles to avoid further damage.
Editor: What are the next steps the council is planning to take in terms of infrastructure improvement or replacement?
Olaf Pulks: We are committed to providing more infrastructure options for our residents. In parallel with planning for a new crossing and a potential temporary bridge, we will be monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that any safety measures are put in place quickly. We aim to report back to the public within weeks about the status of traffic restrictions and proposed bypass routes.
Editor: Olaf, thank you for shedding light on this significant issue. It’s clear that safety is a priority, and the council has a plan moving forward.
Olaf Pulks: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this. We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we navigate these challenges together.
Editor: You’re welcome, and thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed, and we’ll continue to bring you updates on this important topic.