Driving has been made difficult in various parts of Kurzeme due to ice, particularly affecting major roads and regional routes near Liepāja and Saldus.
On Thursday morning, driving conditions have deteriorated across several major road sectors in Kurzeme, Latvia, primarily due to icy surfaces, as reported by VSIA 'Latvijas valsts ceļi' (LVC). Critical segments, including the Liepāja highway from Mazblīdene to Blīdenes forestry and from Kalvene to Liepāja, as well as the A11 highway that connects Liepāja and Rucava, are notably affected. Reports indicate that regional roads surrounding Liepāja and Saldus are also experiencing hazardous conditions for drivers.
To tackle the icy roads, 17 winter maintenance machines have been deployed as part of the road gritting operations on Thursday morning. However, the LVC warns that the driving conditions on gravel roads may remain particularly challenging in the upcoming days and weeks. Drivers are advised to account for additional travel time and to ensure their vehicles are adequately equipped for these difficult conditions.
Gravel roads, which are commonly maintained with a layer of packed snow during winter, have developed a thick accumulation this year. As the snow begins to melt, icy patches are likely to form beneath a layer of water from the melting snow, further complicating the driving situation. The ongoing thaw could lead to an increased risk of accidents if adequate precautions aren’t taken by drivers, emphasizing the need for vigilance on the roads.
