The built section from Piedrujas Street to Gustava Zemgala Drive is 2.8 kilometers long. The object has been commissioned and can now be used by drivers.
Construction of the highway had been underway since 2021 and was originally scheduled to be completed by June this year. The work had to be completed this year to receive EUR 43 million from the Cohesion Fund of the European Union. The increase in construction materials and additional works has made the project more expensive than planned at EUR 73 million in total.
The construction was carried out by the association of suppliers “ACB, TILTS”, which consists of the road construction company AS “A.C.B.” and the bridge construction company SIA “Tilts”.
It is intended that the motorway will provide speedy access to the neighborhoods of Purvciems, Pļavnieki, Dārzciems and Teika without entering the historic center of the city.
Residents have previously asked on social media why the highway does not have four lanes.
Chairman of the Transport and Traffic Committee of Riga City Council Olafs Pulks (New Unity) said: “You see, four lanes – this is more expensive. Four lanes - that's closer to existing properties, might have to buy back one, two, three properties, which would also make it more expensive.”
Overall, the municipality is pleased with the creation of the first city bypass.
“It is a big event, it is in principle a new era, a breakthrough in traffic in Rīga, because it will now be possible to pass the center of Rīga,” Pulks said.
