Transport weight restrictions have been introduced on 204 gravel road sections in Latvia due to thawing conditions, limiting vehicles to a maximum of 10 tons.
In Latvia, due to thawing conditions, transport weight restrictions have been implemented on 204 gravel road sections, as reported by the state-owned road management company Latvijas valsts ceΔΌi (LVC). Of these, the majority of affected sections are in Zemgale, where 86 sections have lost load-bearing capacity. Other regions affected include Vidzeme with 56 sections, Kurzeme with 25, the Riga region with 19, and Latgale with 18 sections.
In addition to the weight restrictions, warnings have been issued for elevated water levels in rivers and lakes in Kurzeme and parts of Zemgale. The LVC notes that meteorologists have forecasted rising temperatures over the coming days, which will likely increase both the number of affected gravel road sections and the extent of the restrictions imposed. The thawing process leads to excess water on the roads, resulting in a loss of load-bearing capacity in the gravel surface, significantly worsening driving conditions.
To prevent irreversible damage to the weakened roads, the LVC has set transport mass limits, prohibiting vehicles heavier than 10 tons from passing through these affected areas. This measure aims to maintain the road integrity during the spring thaw period, ensuring safety for all road users and minimizing further deterioration to the infrastructure.
