Latvia Warns of Heavy Traffic in Riga Ahead of Midsummer as Roadworks Continue

Latvian road authorities have issued warnings of intense traffic congestion in Riga and surrounding areas on Friday afternoon, citing both ongoing roadworks and the traditional surge of vehicles departing the city before Midsummer (Jāņi) celebrations. The State Roads Agency (LVC) has urged drivers to plan for additional travel time and avoid peak hours whenever possible.

Roadworks are currently underway across 69 sections of state roads throughout Latvia, with temporary traffic restrictions and reduced speed limits in place. One significant relief is expected on the Bauska highway (A7), where both lanes will reopen at the entrance to Riga on Friday, though construction in this area will continue until early July with potential for intermittent restrictions.

The most severe delays are anticipated on major routes including the Daugavpils highway (A6) from Gosporiem to Nīcgale, where drivers should expect approximately 40 minutes of transit time due to two traffic light sections and speed limits of 50–70 km/h. Additional lengthy delays are expected on the Daugavpils bypass (A14), with crossing times around 30 minutes, and on regional roads such as the Gulbene–Balvi route, where seven traffic light sections between Litene and Balvi may require up to 55 minutes to traverse.

On roads including Bauska–Aizkraukle and Valdgale–Roja, drivers should anticipate 40 and 35 minutes respectively. The Tīnūži–Koknese regional route, which spans more than 48 kilometres, is undergoing asphalt resurfacing in two separate sections with speed restrictions and at least 30 minutes of additional travel time expected. LVC emphasizes strict adherence to traffic restrictions and traffic light signals in construction zones to ensure road safety and prevent additional congestion.