Expert: Riga's inner ring road can be improved without major construction

Traffic expert Timrots has proposed a way to improve driving conditions in central Riga without spending heavily on new infrastructure. He points out that Valmieras Street already acts as an inner ring road around the city center, but its full potential is not being used.

According to the material published by iAuto.lv, Timrots identifies inefficient use of lanes and infrequent left turns as the main obstacles. Waiting for left-turn opportunities slows down the rest of traffic. He suggests removing some of those left turns so that lanes can be used for through traffic.

Another key measure would be a reversible lane. In the morning it would carry cars toward the center, in the evening it would direct them out of the center. This would match the daily fluctuation of traffic volumes and make better use of existing road space.

The proposal also includes restoring the connection to Pērnavas Street. That would complete a continuous inner ring route around central Riga. Timrots believes these changes would not require massive construction works or large investments; reorganizing traffic and adjusting certain sections would be enough.

The idea is presented as an alternative to building a completely new bypass. Rather than finding land for a new road, the city could upgrade the existing street network. Timrots emphasizes that the "new bypass" already exists in Riga's street layout – it just needs to be properly managed.