Teh Municipality’s Outdoor Space and Mobility Department explains that the time period of the traffic closure has been changed in order not to cause unnecessary inconvenience to residents in the middle of the working week, and also taking into account the current weather forecast. The overpass will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.
On Thursday evening,the representatives of the Riga City council met with the neighborhood associations of Bieriņu,Atgāzene,Āgenskalns and Torņkalns to discuss possible solutions and potential problem situations that may be caused by the closure of traffic over the Altonava overpass. Considering that most of the streets in the area around the altonava overpass are residential areas, bypass roads will not be built.
Residents of Mārupe, who have to get to Riga on a daily basis, are invited to use main streets, such as Kārļas Ulmaņas gatvi, Vienības gatvi, Lielo iela and Upesgrivas iela, instead of the small streets of the Bieriņu neighborhood.
This year, significant construction works have been completed in Kārļas Ulmaņas street, creating a new connection between Riga and Mārupa, as well as improving an existing one. The connection of Lielas ielas with Ulmanias gatvi has been rebuilt,while the connection of Upesgrivas ielas has been modified by making improvements,according to the municipality. Liepājas street and Ojāra Vācieša street also connect to Ulmaņa gatvi.
“Closing this bridge is not the choice of the Riga City Council - during a regular technical inspection of the bridge, the experts have recognized that the movement of cars over it is indeed no longer allowed, thus the traffic over the bridge must be closed,” says the Chairman of the riga City Council Vilnis Ķirsis (JV).
“rail Baltica’s plans are still unclear, but the riga City Council is obliged to act and since it is impractical to repair the bridge, it will be demolished and a new one will be built in its place,” promises the mayor.
It has already been reported that after getting acquainted with the results of the technical study of the Altonava overpass, it was concluded that the previously considered idea of the construction of a temporary bridge is not technically and economically advantageous.
To place the temporary bridge, it would be necessary to rebuild the supports and supporting walls of the existing overpass, as well as to increase the slope of the existing embankment, wich would significantly worsen the level of traffic safety in the intersection area.
By implementing the above-mentioned temporary bridge construction conditions, its costs would exceed the costs of rebuilding the existing overpass. Therefore,the department plans to start work on the preparation of procurement documentation for the “Altonava overpass reconstruction” in the near future. After the preparation of the procurement documentation, the procurement announcement and project implementation would follow.
The construction of a new overpass also provides an opportunity to build a wider roadway structure, thus a sidewalk that meets the requirements of environmental accessibility could be installed on the overpass – convenient for pedestrians and bicycles, and also the movement of vehicular traffic over the overpass would become more convenient.
According to research, the preliminary cost of the overpass reconstruction is 2.5 million euros, and from the development of the reconstruction project to the completion of the new overpass, we can get there in about two years.
The municipality states that the overpass will remain open for the movement of pedestrians and cyclists.
The Altonava Street overpass was built in 1910 and has served its time.
In early spring, the bridge was deemed unsafe and closed to traffic. After the general inspection, traffic for vehicles up to five tons was restored. On the other hand, freight transport may not use the bridge, as well as route 25, 55 and 56 buses will continue to bypass the closed bridge, crossing the railway at the Liepājas iela crossing, which is located near the Paula Stradins Clinical University Hospital.
What strategies can city planners implement to maintain accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists during traffic changes?
Time.News Interview: Managing Mobility and Community Needs Amid Traffic Changes
Editor (E): Good morning and welcome to Time.News! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking wiht Dr. Elena Pruce, an expert in urban mobility and community planning. Dr. Pruce, thank you for joining us.
Dr.Pruce (P): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
E: Let’s dive right in. Recent news indicates that the traffic closure over the Altonava overpass has sparked some discussions among residents and local officials. Could you summarize what the Municipality’s Outdoor Space and Mobility Department has communicated regarding this change?
P: Certainly! The municipality has made adjustments to the timing of the traffic closure to minimize disruption during the workweek. They’re also taking the weather into account, which is a critical consideration for ensuring both safety and convenience for everyone involved. Importantly, the overpass will remain accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, which supports alternative modes of transportation.
E: That’s a great point. Accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists can often get overlooked during traffic changes. In your experience, why is it essential to keep these pathways open?
P: Keeping pathways open for pedestrians and cyclists not only promotes healthy, sustainable transport methods but also ensures that community members can still move freely, even during major roadworks. It enhances social connectivity and access to public spaces,which is particularly crucial in urban settings where residents may rely on these routes for daily commutes or leisure activities.
E: Absolutely, it seems like a thoughtful approach. The Riga City Council held discussions with neighborhood associations to address the potential issues stemming from the closure. What do you think are the benefits of involving local communities in these conversations?
P: Involving residents in the decision-making process is vital for several reasons. First, it fosters a sense of ownership and community engagement. Residents often have unique insights and concerns that officials may not fully appreciate. By collaborating, they can identify not just problems but also creative solutions. This way, authorities can make more informed decisions that genuinely reflect the community’s needs.
E: There’s also been some mention that no bypass roads will be built as most surrounding streets are residential.How might this decision impact the local community?
P: The decision not to construct bypass roads indicates a desire to maintain the character of the residential areas. However, it could lead to increased local traffic congestion, particularly if residents from surrounding areas are diverted onto smaller streets. The council will need to monitor these impacts closely and perhaps implement measures to mitigate traffic spillover while ensuring that residents feel supported during the closure.
E: It seems like a balancing act—ensuring mobility while respecting community dynamics.What final advice would you offer to city planners facing similar situations elsewhere?
P: Collaboration and dialog are key. Engaging with the community proactively and transparently can build trust and improve outcomes. Planners should also consider creating temporary measures that protect vulnerable road users and explore innovative ways to facilitate traffic flow while maintaining safety and accessibility.
E: Wise words, Dr. Pruce! Thank you for shedding light on this important issue. We appreciate your insights on how urban planning can effectively address the needs of communities amidst necessary changes.
P: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing these critical aspects of urban mobility.
E: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed with Time.News for more updates on urban development and community impact!