Due to thawing conditions, Latvia has imposed transport mass restrictions of up to ten tons on 626 gravel road sections across the country, with the highest number of affected sections located in Vidzeme.
In Latvia, the thawing conditions have led to the implementation of transport mass restrictions across 626 gravel road sections, limiting the weight of vehicles to a maximum of ten tons. The information was provided by the state-owned enterprise 'Latvijas valsts ceΔΌi' (LVC). The most significant impact is seen in the Vidzeme region, which has 236 affected road sections, followed by Latgale with 127, Zemgale with 106, Kurzeme with 90, and the Riga region with 67 sections.
The LVC has advised drivers to allocate extra time for their journeys, as some road segments may be difficult to navigate due to poor conditions. Additionally, truck drivers are urged to adhere to traffic rules and the newly implemented transport mass restrictions to prevent further deterioration of the gravel roads' technical state. This caution is particularly important in maintaining the integrity of the roadways during the thawing period.
The company explains that during thawing, road surfaces can become saturated with water, resulting in a loss of load-bearing capacity for gravel roads. As the saturated gravel loses its stability, driving conditions worsen significantly. To prevent irreversible damage to these roads, restrictions on the mass of transport vehicles are imposed, prohibiting certain movements that could exacerbate the road conditions.
