In Riga, the waterfront and Old Town will be closed for the holidays: where and when traffic will be restricted

The waterfront of November 11, the Old Town, and certain central streets will be closed. There may be restrictions on the Stone Bridge and other important highways. On November 18, public transport will be free, and additional services will be organized in the evening. As reported by bb.lv citing the Riga City Council, the restrictions are related to the military parade, festive processions, and the Staro Rīga light festival. ### The waterfront of November 11 will be closed for more than a day From **November 17, 15:00, to November 18, 18:00**, vehicle traffic will be closed on the following sections: - Waterfront of November 11 — from the Stone Bridge to Muitās Street. - Export Street — from Elizabeth Street to the waterfront of November 11, with access to the Riga Passenger Port. - Kalku Street — from the waterfront of November 11 to Town Hall Square. During this period, two-way traffic will be organized on Pilss Street, from Polu Gate Alley to Dome Square, as well as on the section of Dome Square between Pilss and Jekaba Streets. From November 17, 13:00, to midnight on November 18, Polu Gate Alley and the section of Bisikapa Gate from the waterfront to the parallel street will also be closed. ### Old Riga will be closed on November 18 From **November 18, 13:00 to midnight**, vehicle traffic in the territory of Old Riga will be prohibited. An exception is made only for vehicles with special access rights. ### Military parade: restrictions on bridges and streets The general rehearsal of the National Armed Forces military parade will take place on November 17 at 18:00 on the waterfront of November 11. The parade itself will take place on **November 18 at 13:30**. During the rehearsal on November 17 from 18:00 until its completion, as well as on November 18 from 13:30 to 15:00, the following will be closed if necessary: - Stone Bridge; - Uzvaras Boulevard from Valguma Street to the Stone Bridge; - Waterfront of November 11 from the Stone Bridge to the Railway Bridge; - January 13 Street from Rainis Boulevard to the waterfront. In addition, on November 17 from 18:00 to 23:00, traffic will be restricted on sections of the waterfront of November 11 and General Radziņš' waterfront if necessary. On November 18 from 10:00 to 18:00, certain directions of traffic on General Radziņš' waterfront, Krasta Street, and exits from the Island Bridge will be closed. After the parade, from 13:30 to 15:00, military units will march from the waterfront of November 11 along Kalku Street past the Freedom Monument, then along Brivibas Boulevard, Brivibas Street, and Bruninieku Street to Skantes Street. Temporary restrictions may also occur on intersecting streets along the route. From **November 18, 7:00 until the end of the military parade**, vehicle and pedestrian traffic on the AB dam will be closed. ### Morning procession to the Brothers' Cemetery On November 18 from 7:30 to 11:00, there may be brief traffic restrictions due to the procession of student corporations from the University of Latvia to the Brothers' Cemetery. The route will pass along Rainis Boulevard, Brivibas Boulevard and Street, Cesu, Meness, Miera, Klusa Streets, then across the Brasa Bridge along Gaujas and Aizsaules Streets to the Brothers' Cemetery. Traffic along the route will be regulated by police officers. ### Torch procession in the evening On November 18 from 18:00 to 19:45, a torch procession will take place from the monument to Karlis Ulmanis. Participants will march along Rainis Boulevard, Krisjanis Barons Street, Aspazija Boulevard, Zigfrids Anna Meierovics Boulevard, and Krisjanis Valdemars Street. During the procession, traffic along the route and intersecting streets will be restricted or closed if necessary. Additionally, **from 18:00 to midnight**, the following will be closed: - Aspazija Boulevard — from Krisjanis Barons Street to Kalku Street; - Zigfrids Anna Meierovics Boulevard — from Kalku Street to Smilshu Street. These restrictions do not apply to public transport and vehicles with special permits. ### Additional restrictions during Staro Rīga From November 13 to 18, restrictions related to the light festival will be in effect in Old Riga. From November 13, 8:00, to November 18, 23:00, stopping and parking of vehicles will be prohibited in Pilss Square near building No. 4. From November 15 to 18, daily from 16:00 to 23:00, entry to the section of Peterbaznicas Street from Kungu Street to Reformation Square will be prohibited. ### Where will parking be prohibited? Restrictions on stopping and parking of vehicles will be in effect on different days: - **November 16, 20:00 — November 18, 23:00:** both sides of the waterfront of November 11 from the Stone Bridge to Muitās Street, as well as the parallel street to the waterfront. - **November 17, 15:00 — November 18, 18:00:** both sides of Kalku Street from the waterfront to Town Hall Square. - **November 17, 20:00 — November 18, 24:00:** sections of Aspazija and Zigfrids Anna Meierovics Boulevards. - **November 17, 20:00 — November 18, 11:00:** Herder Square. - **November 18, 8:00–20:00:** certain sections of Krisjanis Barons Street, Rainis Boulevard, and Century Alley near the building on Kronvalda Boulevard, 2. - **November 18, 7:00–16:00:** the right side of Skantes Street from Sporta Street towards Krisjanis Valdemars Street. ### Public transport will be free on November 18 On the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, residents and guests of the capital will be able to use public transport for free. Additionally, **from 17:00 to midnight on November 18**, additional services will be provided on several bus, tram, and trolleybus routes to help people get home after the festive events. At the same time, due to the street closures, the routes of some buses will change. From 18:00, the routes of buses No. 12 and 34 will be changed. During the day, restrictions will also affect buses No. 12 and 22. During the torch procession, transport that usually follows along Rainis Boulevard will be redirected along Elizabeth and Satekles Streets. ### Restrictions will also affect trucks From November 17, 15:00, to November 18, 18:00, the movement of freight transport will be closed: - on Export Street from Hanzas Street to Muitās Street; - on Krasta Street from the Island Bridge to January 13 Street. On November 18, pedestrian, cyclist, and electric scooter traffic will be restricted in places where festive events are held if necessary. Water traffic on the City Canal will also be closed on the section between the pedestrian bridge near the National Opera and the bridge at Bastion Hill. The Riga municipality urges drivers to plan their routes in advance, monitor temporary road signs, and follow the instructions of traffic controllers. The main advice for motorists: on November 17 and 18, it is better to avoid trips through Old Riga, the waterfront of November 11, and adjacent streets if possible. Significant difficulties are expected during the military parade and evening processions.