Latvian bridges in spotlight

A report into the state of Latvia's bridges shows that one in three in the country requires major works, with 100 structures in such poor condition they need immediate repair.
March 5, 2012 Read time: 1 min
A report into the state of Latvia's bridges shows that one in three in the country requires major works, with 100 structures in such poor condition they need immediate repair. Unless work is carried out, a large number of Latvia's bridges will have to be closed to traffic within two years. Around 1,000 of the country's bridges have reached the end of their design life and cannot carry the traffic load being handled at present. However, the Latvian state road network, Latvijas Valsts Celi (LVC) has a paltry €427,091 (US$585,949) available to repair bridges in 2011. The 1471 Latvian Ministry of Transport is keen to quash any alarm over the issue and has stated that the necessary funds will be found to ensure the country's bridges remain open.
Road Structures

Related Content

  • ERF and Latvian authorities plan safe and sustainable road seminar
    November 15, 2013
    ERF and Latvian State Road co-organise seminar on safer and sustainable roads Public road administrations are facing considerable challenges within Europe. In fact, the slogan ‘more with less’ captures their situation rather well as they are constantly expected to deliver higher levels of service against a backdrop of declining investment and increasing traffic volumes.
    Read More
  • Interstate bridge collapse in Washington State
    May 24, 2013
    A section of bridge carrying Interstate 5 over the Skagit River in the US has collapsed, dumping a number of vehicles into the river, although no fatalities have been reported. The four lane highway bridge lies around 100km north of Seattle in the Pacific North Western state of Washington and provides a key link with neighbouring Canada. The collapse means that traffic between the US and Canada has been disrupted until repairs can be made or a temporary replacement put in place. There is another bridge runn
    Read More
  • Germany’s crumbling roads costing billions
    April 21, 2025
    Germany’s crumbling roads are costing billions to repair.
    Read More
  • ALARMing UK road statistics, from the Asphalt Industry Alliance
    March 27, 2017
    Within years, one in six of UK local roads will need repairs or face closure, according to the latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance – ALARM - survey. The cumulative effect of an ageing network, decades of underfunding, increased traffic and wetter winters has led to around 17% of all local roads reportedly in poor structural condition, with less than five years of life remaining. The 22nd annual ALARM survey is a comprehensive study into local road maintenance funding and conditions. Loca
    Read More

Highlighted Content