Kundziņsala overpass opens in Riga, linking Sarkandaugava with the port area
Riga has completed the 863.5-metre Kundziņsala overpass, connecting Tvaika Street in Sarkandaugava with the Freeport of Riga's industrial area. It is meant to divert part of freight traffic away from the city centre and residential neighbourhoods.
Riga has completed the Kundziņsala overpass, which links Tvaika Street in the Sarkandaugava district with the public area of Kundziņsala and the industrial part of the Freeport of Riga. The structure is 863.5 metres long. It is an important section of Riga's inner bypass and, together with the Eastern Arterial Road and the Daudersala overpass, is intended to let trucks reach the city's main road network more efficiently, easing the load on the centre and residential areas.
Project aims and funding
The project was coordinated by the Ministry of Transport, with the Riga municipality and the Freeport of Riga Authority also involved. Work ran from 23 April 2018 to the end of October this year. The total cost is €82.6 million: €23 million is a state budget grant, €59.6 million is a state budget loan, and €4.5 million comes from the EU Cohesion Fund.
Riga City Council Chairman Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) said the implementation had been long and complicated. Deputy Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis (United List) recalled that six years ago the Eastern Arterial Road ended inside the city, and thousands of trucks had to reach the port along small streets. In his words, the loop of the inner bypass on the right bank of the Daugava is now closed. Freeport of Riga Authority head Ansis Zeltiņš stressed the port's role in supplying goods across the country and voiced hope of attracting new investors.
The municipality says the overpass will reduce the burden of heavy transport in Sarkandaugava and other neighbourhoods near the port, meaning fewer traffic jams, less noise and lower air pollution.
Traffic arrangements
From 1 November, trucks will be able to enter and leave Kundziņsala in two ways: over the new overpass via the "Delta 17" port checkpoint at 42 Uriekstes Street, or, as before, via the "Delta 1" checkpoint at 9 Uriekstes Street. Both operate around the clock. This arrangement lasts until the end of the year; from 1 January 2027 "Delta 1" will be closed to traffic to Kundziņsala, and freight traffic will use only the new overpass.
The overpass is also meant for residents of nearby areas. It has an extra turning lane towards the Kundziņsala residential district, a lit pedestrian and cycle path with markings for runners, and three lifts with stairs – one on the Tvaika Street side and two on Kundziņsala. Residents can still use the bridge from Aptiekas Street.
