Riga to turn Antonijas and Alberta streets into weekend pedestrian zones through September
From August 14 to September 20, Alberta Street and part of Antonijas Street between Dzirnavu and Elizabetes streets will become a pedestrian zone every weekend. The initiative is being carried out together with local restaurants and cafés.
Every weekend until September 20, Riga will turn Alberta Street and the stretch of Antonijas Street between Dzirnavu and Elizabetes streets into a pedestrian zone. The restriction takes effect at 8 p.m. on Fridays and remains in place until midnight on Sunday.
How the restrictions will work
Road signs will mark the area as a residential zone, banning through traffic for motor vehicles as well as parking or stopping along the streets. No physical barriers will be placed on the roadway, however, so that emergency vehicles and residents can still reach their properties.
Residents will still be able to drive in and out of their courtyards, while businesses will be given a designated time window for deliveries. The Riga Municipal Police will regularly monitor traffic in the area, and vehicles parked in violation of the signage will be relocated.
Parking for residents
Holders of a resident parking permit for these streets can keep using paid parking spaces within their registered address's street section, as well as in nearby blocks with the same or a lower tariff zone. If no spot is available there, the permit also covers other street sections listed on it.
Cooperation with businesses
The project is being run in close coordination with restaurants and cafés located on the streets. On weekends, with municipal approval, they will be able to expand their terraces and offer visitors special deals. Temporarily handing streets over to pedestrians is a common practice across Europe, helping support local businesses while making urban spaces livelier and more welcoming.
