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

  • Applied Concepts get Latvian approval for Stalker Phoda SE-1
    February 1, 2017
    Stalker Traffic Technologies’ Phodar SE-1 photo traffic enforcement radar system has been approved by Latvia to participate in any Latvian speed enforcement tender. Prior to Latvian acceptance, the SE-1 received its CE Marking and International Organisation of Legal Metrology certification. Both are required for Latvian approval which is granted through the Latvian National Metrology Centre, under the Ministry of Economics. The SE-1 automatically monitors up to 32 vehicles moving in either direction acro
    Read More
  • Europe’s road safety picture slanted wrong way?
    May 24, 2016
    The European Commission’s latest figures for road safety reveal some cause for concern across the EU. While the EU has the world’s safest roads overall, the road fatality rate has slipped during 2015. And this is for the second consecutive year also as EU road deaths in 2014 also showed an increase over 2013. By comparison, there were decreases in the European road death rate of 8% in 2012 and 2013.
    Read More
  • Ohio increases bridge maintenance programme
    November 8, 2013
    The US state of Ohio plans to invest US$120 million in repairing and replacing over 200 county and city-owned bridges over the next three years. The funds are being made available through the state’s efforts at overhauling highway funding by reducing overhead costs and improving efficiency at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Work is expected to begin on the first 40 bridges next year. ODOT will work with local officials to identify the remaining bridges to repair or replace in the following yea
    Read More
  • China looks to the future with major highway plans
    February 15, 2012
    China is still moving ahead with plans that will give it the world's biggest highway system. Patrick Smith reports. As China's economy grows even more, keeping the country on the move has become a priority for the government. While the country has made great strides over the past decade in improving its infrastructure, the number of vehicles has also increased rapidly, and in some instances restrictions have been placed on them.
    Read More

Highlighted Content