Saeima Committee Criticizes Planning of Riga's Vanšu Bridge Reconstruction
A Saeima committee reviewed the impact of Riga's Vanšu Bridge repair works on mobility, criticizing a lack of transparency and calling for a temporary bridge before construction begins. The contractor did not attend the hearing.
The Saeima's Public Administration and Local Government Committee on Tuesday discussed how repair works on Riga's Vanšu Bridge will affect mobility and access to services in both Riga and the surrounding Pierīga municipalities. The hearing was prompted by a letter from the Mārupe municipality expressing concern about poor communication and the potential impact of traffic restrictions on local businesses.
Committee chairman Oļegs Burovs said the meeting included representatives of Riga City Council's Open Space and Mobility Department, the Mārupe municipality, business organizations, and several state institutions. However, the contractor — the "Vanšu tilts" supplier consortium, which won the roughly €70 million reconstruction contract — declined to attend.
No clear plan
Burovs said the meeting confirmed concerns that Riga City Council currently lacks a clear plan for organizing traffic during construction, and no confirmation was given that a comprehensive technical inspection of the bridge had been carried out. Business representatives and Mārupe officials said they wanted to be involved in day-to-day planning of the works.
Concerns were also raised about design proposals that would reduce the number and width of traffic lanes to make room for bicycle lanes on both sides, potentially worsening Riga's existing congestion problems.
Committee's demands
The committee called on Riga City Council to first build and open a temporary bridge before starting any work requiring traffic closures on Vanšu Bridge. It also demanded a comprehensive, technically justified reconstruction that does not reduce vehicle lanes, coordination of the construction schedule with Latvia's 2028 EU Council presidency and the Song Festival, and timely public information for residents and Pierīga municipalities. The Transport and Finance Ministries were asked to assess alternative mobility solutions, including mobility hubs in Pierīga.
