Rīga bridge repairs likely to cause traffic disruption

However, a final decision has yet to be taken on the matter. The capital's municipality is currently still developing a traffic organization plan for the repair work. To compensate for the inconvenience, "park and ride" areas could be temporarily introduced on both banks of the capital, where drivers could leave their cars and transfer to public transport. This could be in the Press House quarter, in Ķīpsala near the supermarkets "Olimpia" and "BT1", and also near the Ministry of Agriculture. The municipality also does not rule out the creation of additional new public transport routes, too – but again, all of this remains to be confirmed. "We are very aware of [the situation], because during peak hours 4,000 cars per hour cross the Vanšu Bridge. It is clear that this will create a large load, but if 10–20% of those people who currently drive cars were to get on public transport, it would be a major relief for the traffic congestion," said Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives). It is expected that the renovation of the Cable Bridge could begin at the end of next year and will last more than a year.