Foto: BB.LV / ремонт улицы Дзирнаву в Риге
The reconstruction of Dzirnava Street in the center of Riga has been completed on the section from Terbatas Street to Skolas Street. The updated section is fully open to traffic. This was reported to the LETA agency by the External Communications Department of the Riga City Council. The work began in spring 2025 and was carried out in stages. First, the builders reconstructed the section between Terbatas Street and Brivibas Street, then continued work from Brivibas Street to Skolas Street. At the same time, the intersection of Dzirnava and Terbatas Streets was updated. ### What has changed on Dzirnava Street? During the reconstruction, the roadway and sidewalks were updated, bicycle infrastructure was established, conditions for pedestrians were improved, and landscaping was carried out. One of the main changes was a clearer separation of space between cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. A bicycle lane was introduced on the reconstructed section, allowing for the separation of cyclist traffic from pedestrian flow. Different types and colors of pavement were used for various zones. According to the designers' concept, this should make traffic organization clearer and increase the safety of all road users. ### Where have new pedestrian crossings been added? As part of the project, additional pedestrian crossings have been equipped in two locations: - Near the Galerija Rīga shopping center. - At the intersection of Baznicas and Dzirnava Streets. As explained by the Riga City Council, the new crossings are intended to make crossing the street more convenient and safer. In addition, attention was paid to the accessibility of the urban environment for various groups of pedestrians during the reconstruction. ### Green islands have appeared on the street The changes affected not only the road surface and traffic organization. Flowerbeds with low-growing plants have been arranged near the intersections. They were placed on the widened sections of the sidewalks, as well as in the areas of car and bicycle parking. According to the municipality, this arrangement allows for the enhancement of greenery in the city center without impairing visibility at intersections and without creating obstacles for traffic. ### Part of a large bicycle route through the center of Riga The reconstruction of Dzirnava Street has become part of a larger project for the development of bicycle infrastructure in the capital. The updated section is included in a route that is intended to connect the bicycle infrastructure of Skolas Street with the Island Bridge, the area of the Riga Central Railway Station, and Vilhelma Purvitis Street. The municipality hopes that this will make it more convenient for cyclists to move between different parts of the city center. ### Why did the reconstruction take so long? Construction work took place in the historic center of Riga, where a large number of engineering communications are located underground. According to the municipality, the progress of the reconstruction was affected by both the dense location of existing networks and additional circumstances identified during the construction. In addition, before the street infrastructure update began, work on the communications of the municipal enterprise Rīgas ūdens was required. ### How much did the reconstruction cost? The cost of the construction contract for the reconstruction of Dzirnava Street amounted to 477,941 euros excluding VAT. With a standard VAT rate of 21%, the total amount is approximately 578 thousand euros including tax. Thus, after the completion of the work, the section of one of Riga's central streets is once again accessible for traffic, and pedestrians and cyclists have received updated infrastructure.
