Sorry, I lost my old thread about these items.
Here goes the new one.
- - -
While I have included in "Riga city development news" several other cities in Riga metro (Jurmala, Jelgava, sigulda etc.), there is something more happening in the other areas of Latvia.
No highrise plans outside Riga metro yet (24-floorer in Ventspils was mentioned some 5 years ago, but forgotten). But there are large investment plans.
Here map of Latvia for your reference:
http://img215.exs.cx/img215/4780/latvia7hb.jpg
- - -
100 mio EUR investment to start in Liepaja
Liepaja City Council gave approval to the draft design of "Baltic Sea Park" in the southern part of City. This will increase hotel capacity of this Baltic city per 4 000 people. Project area - 25 ha. This is planned as whole year attraction park with tropical aquapark (area 30 000 m2). Of course, aquapark is promised to be the most modern in Europe - I think, this is announced by anyone building such things. Next to aquapark would be built 520 apartment buildings with total area 45 000 m2. Would be built also SPA-centre and entertainment complex for children.
Architecture of the complex has been much criticised among local architects - it is done by Liepaja architects "G. Viksnas birojs".
Project will have also large social impact on Liepaja - as there were not enough people in Liepaja available for this project, trained working force would be imported from other areas and countries. Extensive training program for personnel of "Baltic Sea Park" is ongoing since some time already.

Overview of the area:
http://www.a4d.lv/_fl/Akva-kop.jpg
Construction of the complex should start in June this year and will be completed in the end 2006.
Aquapark as seen from the sea:
http://www.a4d.lv/_fl/akvaparks_4.jpg
Houses from the tram stop:
http://www.a4d.lv/_fl/majinas_6.JPG

www.balticseapark.com/
Looks very tasty. Have not heard much about this project lately. What do you reckon will it go ahead? It seems from their web page that nearly all holiday houses they have sold already!
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3763/01yt1.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6079/11gw3.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5152/i4lu7.jpg

off topic here, but still...

pretty cool map you posted, Gatis! this has Stučka instead of Aizkraukle, must be a reproduction of old soviet time map :) the most coolest part of the story is the year (1998, but the town was renamed in 1991) and the publisher - what a shame for Britannica! And, as usual, foreign publishers don't give a shit for quality of information, when it's not about "great nations".. for example, they have put Strenchi, but not Valka, they have Auce, but not Saulkrasti.. i wonder why they forgot to put Skrunda there, since all the western maps had it (because it had a huge soviet military radar there) :)

What could you want from Britannica :)

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/4780/latvia7hb.jpg

Interesting map, i'm trying to understand why there is such a city like Panevėžys, but there arn't such citys like Šiauliai and Klaipėda, which are biger. :)

Go Liepājā - I think this city has one of the greatest potentials from all Latvian cities inall regards. It is big fro Latvian-outside-Riga measures. It is on the open Baltic Sea - it has certainly the most beautiful beach in the Baltics if not all the Baltic coast - it's wide, with extremely subtle and white sand without any stounds nothing, pure powder sugar. And city itself is beautiful especially parks and architecture in the area near the seaside. Big tourism potential, for the beginning the local latvian, plus port is contributing to the economy.

Liepaja is planning to build its first highrise this year, I heard. Hotel close to city channel and not far from the sea - 12 -14 floors - not more.

They also propose to part of central street under ground at Rozu laukums, where large construction has to start this year - project is not unveiled yet.

Liepaja is quickly improving its streets too - last year some 20 streets got capital reconstruction, in this year more will follow. Streets which got rebuilt last year:
http://www.liepaja.lv/upload/Zinjas/Rekonstrueejamaas_iela_karte_nest.jpg

New year party in Liepaja (Egons Ziverts)

http://www.liepajniekiem.lv/images/galleries/small/370x_010107_jaungads103.jpg

It will be become very pleasant city for sure.

Unfortunately haven't been there myself last year :(

Nice to see the thread for other Latvian cities outside Riga. :) This one looks interesting:
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6079/11gw3.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5152/i4lu7.jpg

OK, if we started with Liepaja, so it be:

Some news from Liepaja

Webpage of Baltic Sea park - I don't know if they started construction - most likely not yet. Technical project has been handed in City Council in August this year.
http://www.balticseapark.com/
------
Started 20 mio investment in the Soviet time Culture Palace of Metalurgs (oh, sweet school-time parties there). City will get Olympic Multihall there. Here you can see the nice (really nice IMHO) Soviet time mosaic wall of it. To be completed in middle 2008.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8746/metalurgixt7.jpg
-------
In this year the runway of Liepaja airport will be extended per 300 m - this will enable rising of such airplanes as "Airbus 320" and "Boeing 747" with full fuel tanks. Will be started construction of new control tower, third part of passenger terminal.
-------
On-going construction of new access road and new access railroad in Liepaja harbour, investment 14 mio EUR - to be completed in 2008.
-------
"Liepajas tramvajs" have prepared proposal for construction of new tram line in Liepaja. As far as I know, their proposal was supported by state. Happy Liepaja, they get state support in niche where Riga is not supported...
-------
Site for Liepaja Concert Hall (Giant Amber) has been cleared, elaboration of detailed design by Austrian architect Volker Giencke on-going, construction should start this year.
Pictures:
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9616/amber5se7.jpg
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6867/amber1lu6.jpg
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6535/amber2wk8.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3439/amber4vp4.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1350/amber3xp6.jpg
-------
There are lots of smaller projects in Liepaja on-going. The best - they are building much factories, f.e. started to work biofuel factory, started 6 ha large apartment building complex etc.

Speaking of Liepaya. Here is another one -redesigning the former Liqueur Factory getting much support from the Liepaya authorities.
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/2425/likierufabrika1bm6.jpg

Here is a nice image of "Jurmalas vilnis" (Jurmala Wave) u/c.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/4100/jurmalaqb0.jpg

Glad to see, city of my childhood developing so fast! Cheers and congrats :)

Speaking of Liepaya. Here is another one -redesigning the former Liqueur Factory getting much support from the Liepaya authorities.

Good! :) Redesign, if properly done, will let us continue to enjoy past architecture. Before destruction, think about rehab/reuse! :okay:

Some Liepaja news from www.a4d.lv/4d
- - -
Architects "AKA birojs" and developer "Mēs Liepājai" propose enormous 3-floor underground car parking (in fact - even a small network of underground streets) under the central square of Liepaja, which is located under some pedestrian streets as well. And large multifunctional centre above it - in the place where Lenin monument stood in Soviet times.
Underground car parking:
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/2831/liepajarozulauk2dd3.jpg
Whole building:
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7185/liepajarozulauk1gf9.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/5748/liepajarozulauk3zt7.jpg
- - -
Some more of redesign of Liqor Fabric in Liepaja, architect Zaiga Gaile (absolutely genial redesigner IMHO):
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9391/liepajalikierafabrmg4.jpg
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8840/liepajalikierafabr2ey0.jpg

Adaptive reuse, excellent! :okay:

The first large scale development of apartments in Liepaya by «MIG Holdings». They have named it «Rietumu Krasts». Just wondering how long will it take for them to become the first underwater development in Lieapya because of the climate change effects on banks. Wish all the bets though.
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9619/rietumukrastszz3.jpg

Newfountain in Saldus called HoneyDrop will be built in 2008
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/1821/saldushy7.jpg

Few more pics of Dune:)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/654/kapaqk6.jpg

There will five units (dunes) named in different colours.
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/175/kapa3mf9.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2107/kapa4kl1.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7104/kapa6hy5.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8263/kapa7lk2.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3212/kapa8ou3.jpg

This is a supermarket design in Valmiera - 11 mil investment. Will be built by MERKS.


http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4577/valmierare1.jpg

The concept worked out by Daugavpils Dome claims that in time frame 2007-2013 interantional airport will be built. It will be constructed to enable the landing for crafts such as Boeing 737, Boeing 757 nad Airbus. Total investment 20 mil.


Now it looks like this - used to be used by military units
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/4633/daugavpilslidostagm2.jpg

Two 20 floor highrises in Daugavpils will rise in next few years (hope it won't take decades). Underground parking space. The projec SKY LINE is already nicknamed Daugavpils gates (when comming from Riga).

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4470/daugavpilsdebesskrsf2.jpg
www.diena.lv

Gati, can you tell me more about Gaizinkalns tower and development plans?
http://www.gaizinkalns.lv/imgs/110/1.jpg

No, I can't. As far as I know - owner of the mountain hasn't got money for it.

deleted

www.walloftheworld.org
I am pleasantly surprised about this initiative in Latvia near Liepaja city. Even more surprised I was to find out that the idea comes from local people not some international investment organisation. It is named Wall of the World - 8th wonder of the world aiming to collect data of 1% (65mil) of the world population to ingrave in the 26km long wall. To put your name on the wall will cost you 5 EUR.
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/1011/03entrancekw4.jpg
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7761/04roadxl1.jpg
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6264/05roaduu5.jpg
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6181/06wallsul2.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5307/07centrelk4.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4747/08islandbj7.jpg
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5904/09islandfq9.jpg
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/779/10globerq2.jpg
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7162/13platformgp1.jpg
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7053/14fromplatformfn9.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2718/02parkut8.jpg
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4258/01parkxt8.jpg

Some more images of Daugavpils high-rise project.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/5720/daugavpilshc9.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8295/daugavpils2kp0.jpg

Construction works maybe will start in the end of this year, but it is optimistic variant, there are article from Dienas Bizness:

http://www.db.lv/Default2.aspx?ArticleID=20f40176-8e60-4e43-bcff-d18e7dabcf10

^^ I actually kinda like the fact that they didn't accept the construction before the general public was convinced.

And a very nice project, indeed!

Liepāja city council has started public hearings on the proposed tram line extension project. City council already approved plan to extend existing tram network by 1662 m earlier this year. Construction works are expected to begin in 2010.
Liepaja tram line is the oldest electric tram line in Baltics, but current length is only 5,99 km. Last year more than 9 million passengers used Liepaja tram network.
http://www.liepaja.lv/events.php?id=1435&news=1&action=event&eid=17517&category=10


Some *.pdf files with schematics at the bottom of this page.
http://epc.liepaja.lv/portal/page?_pageid=73,476090&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&_piref73_476091_73_476090_476090.next_page=%2Fhtdocs%2Fdiscussions%2FDiscussExamin.jsp&_piref73_476091_73_476090_476090.DiscussId=101

Good news and nice update:)

Huh, I was scared that this thread was dead... It would be very nice to see projects of other, small towns.

Can we post info here about reconstructed/ new constructed roads, streets in this thread?

Jelgava

Friday, on 22 August, Jelgava - Ozolnieki, reconstructed Riga street section was solemn opened.

Riga street section from Loka Maģistrāle to the city administrative border, reconstruction took place due to the traffic ministry financial support, which gave 2 719 800 lats for reconstruction works.

Works were done by building company SIA „IGATE” and they begun work in July of the past year. Sidewalks for pedestrians, cycling lanes, street illuminations, new bus stops were constructed, ditches were cleaned, new traffic-lights were set, the lawn was arranged and the ridges of flowers were restored.

Some pics of the solemn ceremony:

http://www.jelgava.lv/index.php?cmd=get&cid=39822

Mayor of Jelgava - Andris Rāviņš

http://www.jelgava.lv/index.php?cmd=get&cid=39825

What a ceremony, if the minister of transport Ainārs Šlesers isn't invited. :D

http://www.jelgava.lv/index.php?cmd=get&cid=39828

A special appearance on the reconstructed section showed the Agarska Triala club.

http://www.jelgava.lv/index.php?cmd=get&cid=39831

Can we post info here about reconstructed/ new constructed roads, streets in this thread?

Jelgava

Friday, on 22 August, Jelgava - Ozolnieki, reconstructed Riga street section was solemn opened.



I hope this new asphalt will last a bit longer than 1 year (I remember previous asphalt work about 2 years ago, it did not stand one year without breaks, deformations and holes).

www.walloftheworld.org
I am pleasantly surprised about this initiative in Latvia near Liepaja city. Even more surprised I was to find out that the idea comes from local people not some international investment organisation. It is named Wall of the World - 8th wonder of the world aiming to collect data of 1% (65mil) of the world population to ingrave in the 26km long wall. To put your name on the wall will cost you 5 EUR.
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4258/01parkxt8.jpg

No news of this project, maybe the utopia will remain utopia... Simple question, at the era of internet, who will travel the world to see if his name is well written on this wall?

And by the way, we have no news of the project of Koknese island. Contest was made and won by Japanese Zen famous architect. And then? What happened? I drove by and saw nothing realized yet, it is still half-wild.

Oh yes! I have some news about "Wall of the World"!

Authors of a megaproject "Wall of the World ", who have collected for one and a half year about 5000 people wishing to immortalise their names, made a decision to cancel a payment for participation in the project. To start project realisation it was planned to collect at least 2 million participants. The registered participants of the project can have their money returned, which they heve paid for registration (5 euros). Besides, there have been decided to entrust a choice of the location of the project realisation to the participants (those have already registred): it will be chosen by voting. "Wall of the World" will also become "a social interactive portal" which will allow participants of the project communicate among themselves and participate in decision-making. As well as that, there was accepted decision to change legal form of the project itself — transforming it from Open Company in Society (Organisation). "Thus the project will belong to a society — to the organisation, members of which might become only registered participants of the project".
"Wall of the World" — park with the area of 47 hectares, which is supposed to be situated in Latvia. The complex should represent 272 granite walls on both sides of which will be engraved data of 65 million persons (1 % of the world population). It will be the largest ever man made testimony of the existence of humankind. These people, according to authors of the project, "above all appreciate and value unity of mankind, friendship and peace". At the beggining the registration of the participants required payment — 5 euros. Now it's all free! (So, guys, go to www.walloftheworld.org and register as fast as you can to have the best place for your name!:))
Wall of the World is a private project which is being supported and developed by the international organisations and the companies, including "Red Cross", "Sorainen Law Office", "Mediaparks" etc.

Largest catholic church in Courland is almost completed. It is located in a Saldus town.

http://www.catholic.lv/large/1219670503.jpg
http://www.catholic.lv/large/1219671091.jpg
http://www.catholic.lv/large/1219671300.jpg

Oh yes! I have some news about "Wall of the World"!

Authors of a megaproject "Wall of the World ", who have collected for one and a half year about 5000 people wishing to immortalise their names, made a decision to cancel a payment for participation in the project. To start project realisation it was planned to collect at least 2 million participants. The registered participants of the project can have their money returned, which they heve paid for registration (5 euros). Besides, there have been decided to entrust a choice of the location of the project realisation to the participants (those have already registred): it will be chosen by voting. "Wall of the World" will also become "a social interactive portal" which will allow participants of the project communicate among themselves and participate in decision-making. As well as that, there was accepted decision to change legal form of the project itself — transforming it from Open Company in Society (Organisation). "Thus the project will belong to a society — to the organisation, members of which might become only registered participants of the project".
"Wall of the World" — park with the area of 47 hectares, which is supposed to be situated in Latvia. The complex should represent 272 granite walls on both sides of which will be engraved data of 65 million persons (1 % of the world population). It will be the largest ever man made testimony of the existence of humankind. These people, according to authors of the project, "above all appreciate and value unity of mankind, friendship and peace". At the beggining the registration of the participants required payment — 5 euros. Now it's all free! (So, guys, go to www.walloftheworld.org and register as fast as you can to have the best place for your name!:))
Wall of the World is a private project which is being supported and developed by the international organisations and the companies, including "Red Cross", "Sorainen Law Office", "Mediaparks" etc.


Well, these changes, especially the free of charge registration, might actually work. You have to admit - it is quite fascinating project.

Well, these changes, especially the free of charge registration, might actually work. You have to admit - it is quite fascinating project.

Oh yes, it is! Anyway there's nothing even a bit similar to such monsterous project in the whole world! :cheers:

Agree with you there Tricertops! This project is more like an internet project not a real life place, it'll never happen.

Bauska town in the eve of it's 400th birthday has finally started to wake up from letargic sleep and to do what all other self-respecting Latvian towns outside poorest region Latgale have already done in the previous years - reconstructing and renovating town's main places. Old town's square has experienced reconstruction, 4 buildings alongside main street is being renovated, reconstructed also bus station and another one street.

Old townhouse square is turned into empty, cobbled square. It has raised many discussions between Bauska's residents. Many and even one of the insiders of the project has said that "just an empty square isn't the best solution for the place". There has been indrawn water-pipe below those cobblestones, so maybe somewhere in the future (let's hope it will be earlier than Bauska's 500th anniversary) fountain will be built here. By the way, those cast iron vases are from Spain. :)

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/2198/dsc8006jg3.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/8219/dsc8005li0.jpg

Buildings' renovation alongside Kalna street.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/9430/dsc8016yo5.jpg

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/3307/dsc8019jb5.jpg

Fountain has been made besides new art school.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/633/dsc8021gg4.jpg

Bus station has unloaded it's Soviet look.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8710/dsc8029ct3.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4682/dsc8026nn1.jpg

What a brilliant town Bauska is! :) I couldn't even imagine that it is so nice! :banana: My best wishes to it's future development! :cheers:

thanks!

Promenade hotel is Liepāja is the first hotel in Latvia outside Riga which has been awarded with 5 starts rating.

The hotel is situated in building which was built around 1870 as grain warehouse. During the course of reconstruction, the original building’s architecture was preserved to give the hotel its special charm. The individuality of Promenade Hotel is further enhanced by the yacht center and docks located at the hotel as well as by the front lobby which is also an art gallery.
The hotel is located on the edge of Liepāja’s Trade Canal, a short walk from the Baltic Sea and Liepāja’s favorite entertainment and tourist attractions (St. Trinity’s Cathedral, Rožu laukums - Rose Square, Jūrmalas Parks, Latvia’s 1st Rock Cafe, etc).
Many of the hotel’s guest rooms have view of the canal and the Baltic Sea.
The hotel’s interior has been designed to combine a modern style with classical values while enhancing a soft feeling and guaranteeing all modern conveniences and technologies.
Promenade Hotel was designed by architect Agris Padēlis-Līns.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/indipuk/Promenade1_new_l.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/indipuk/Promenade3_new_l.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/indipuk/Promenade2_new_l.jpg

OMG! That the nicest indoor design I've ever seen! No words - just beautiful! :)

Jelgava

Construction of Zemgales Olympic Center (ZOC) was started last year and will be done until 2010. There's going to be constructed an athletic stadium with a running track and with sectors of different disciplines, football field with natural grass deck accordingly with FIFA requirement (1500 audience seats) sport hall with a sport games field and audience tribune (2000 audience seats) and outside training field for football, beach volleyball and basketball.

Construction costs 9 736 517 Ls.

http://www.apollo.lv/upload/2008-05-28/128617/thumb_wide_172383.jpg

http://apgerbi.info/img/article/6214/large/image.php.jpg

http://www.lff.lv/pics/Olimpiskais_sporta_centrs_halle.jpg

Ohohooo, any other news from Jelgava. How about roads - is council building any or is it still...

Roads? hmm... You know, tomorrow I'll get my camera and I'll take pictures of what's done in my neighbourhood, okay?

Jelgava

Construction of Zemgales Olympic Center (ZOC)

http://www.lff.lv/pics/Olimpiskais_sporta_centrs_halle.jpg

Really good news!! thanks for info :)

Promenade hotel is Liepāja is the first hotel in Latvia outside Riga which has been awarded with 5 starts rating.


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/indipuk/Promenade2_new_l.jpg


Whoah, this is nice!! I almost want to go there just to chill in the room and watch animal planet. :D

Ongoing public discussions about shopping and entertainment centre "Rožu galerija" in Liepaja:
http://www.a4d.lv/_fl/liepaja-rozu-galerija-1.jpg

http://www.a4d.lv/_fl/liepaja-rozu-galerija-5.jpg

http://www.a4d.lv/_fl/liepaja-rozu-galerija-9.jpg

That project is discussed already for some 12 years.

^^Houbedoo!!!

That project is discussed already for some 12 years.

:lol: Then maybe construction would last some 24 years. :)

But the project itself is really great!

That project is discussed already for some 12 years.

Well, even though, it's discussed 12 years, this time it finally will be realized, hopefully! :)

Dolgostroi :ohno:

This is because of bad aura - there was standing statue of Lenin before :D

Check out what has been done, built, renovated, reconstructed in Liepaja this year: http://apollo.lv/portal/ipasums/articles/144703 :cheers:

New bridge over Venta river in Ventspils

The need for another bridge across Venta river in Ventspils have discussed for many years. Construction began in 2008 and for traffic it will be opened in June, 2009. The bridge is 174 meter long and 12 meters wide and the costs are 5,98 million lats (6,24 million euro) with all the access roads.

After the new bridge opening, the reconstruction of old traffic bridge over Venta river (which reached nearly 50 years of age) will begin. After reconstruction it will become wider instead of two, it will have four lanes, sidewalks and cycle paths. It's expected that the bridge reconstruction will start in August and will be finished in autumn, 2010.

The new bridge construction and reconstruction of existing roads including single port development project is being realized by EU funds.

Some last year construction pics.
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0062/614375/249109_BIG.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0062/614375/249118_BIG.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0062/614375/249145_BIG.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0062/614375/249154_BIG.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0062/614375/249163_BIG.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0062/614375/249172_BIG.jpg

This is how the bridge looked in February.
http://www.diena.lv/upload//article/0066/653748/583544_BIG_1235494388.jpg

Video obout Jurmala, but on Russian !

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BkzN0j3blog&hl=ru&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BkzN0j3blog&hl=ru&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

it is really needed to post some pics of the progress being done in Jurmala!

^^ In the summer man ... wait until summer :)

Bauska

The sketch is ready for the new business project and business center in the city Bauska on Upmalas street. The plan is to construct a three storey building in which the usable area would be approximately 2600m². The owners intend to build a bank area. Offices in the building could be either very small, around 20m² and with wide apartments.

http://www.bauskasdzive.lv/resources/news/500x331x331x500/20090308190229-upes_ielas_vizualizacija.jpg

oh, finally, some progress in towns, very good to see that! :) but I believe latvian towns have more to show! ;)

New bridge over Venta river in Ventspils

The need for another bridge across Venta river in Ventspils have discussed for many years. Construction began in 2008 and for traffic it will be opened in June, 2009. The bridge is 174 meter long and 12 meters wide and the costs are 5,98 million lats (6,24 million euro) with all the access roads.

After the new bridge opening, the reconstruction of old traffic bridge over Venta river (which reached nearly 50 years of age) will begin. After reconstruction it will become wider instead of two, it will have four lanes, sidewalks and cycle paths. It's expected that the bridge reconstruction will start in August and will be finished in autumn, 2010.

The new bridge construction and reconstruction of existing roads including single port development project is being realized by EU funds.

So, two days ago, this bridge was officially put into operation! :banana:
Here are some pics from Saturday's opening ceremony:
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/743485_BIG_1243675982.jpg
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/743431_BIG_1243675978.jpg
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/743440_BIG_1243675979.jpg
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/743449_BIG_1243675980.jpg
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/743467_BIG_1243675981.jpg
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/744275_BIG_1243702494.jpg
http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0068/670779/744383_BIG_1243702501.jpg

Awesome! :cheers: Only the lack of markings disappoint me.

^^ it will defiantely come! also, it was said during the ceremony that there's one more bridge in Ventspils ahead - the first swing bridge in Latvia!! :cheers:

We definetly need a reporter from Ventspils, I think there's a lot going on right now! I heard that the first coal terminal in the Baltic states was opened not long ago. A 77 million EUR investment in Ventspils! :cheers:

^^
send email to lembergs

^^ as well as from other Latvian big cities, like Daugavpils, Liepaja etc.!!

Reconstruction of streets in Gulbene.

In march Gulbene mayor signed contract with State agency of regional development about reconstruction of streets. The agency will attach money (approx. 1,45 million lats)for the first round from European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Latvian State budget. 1. round was started almost two months ago. The project will have two rounds and maybe there will be the third if we will be lucky. This project is syncronised with 2. round of Gulbene water managing development project (approx. costs 6,14 million lats), finansed by Cohesian fund, State and municipality.

You can find a map here: http://www.gulbenesdome.lv/lat/pilseta/?doc=1440

Tas nav liels projekts, ja salīdzina ar Rīgu vai kādu citu pilsētu, taču tas parāda, ka arī mazpilsētās kaut kas notiek.:)

^^ :cheers:

Last summer was in Gulbene - they were making an ambitious reconstruction of the enormous central park + complex of manor house buildings in that park. Should look wonderful by now. Ah, here website of one of the hotels at the park, very outdated though:
http://www.baltapils.lv/
http://www.baltapils.lv/Modules/Galleries/Images/41/2_213.175.114.43_633426434942287903.jpg

The White castle (in the drawing^^) is still waiting for it's reconstruction. At the beginning owners planned to reconstruct manege and creamery and they have done it. Couple of months ago they started to build greenhouses. In spring the greenhouses were finished and next plans are to move history museum from orangery to Red castle, to rebuild orangery like it was hundred years ago, to build longest wooden bridge for pedestrians in Latvia and gardeners house. And maybe at the and they will finally start to reconstruct the White castle.:)

But still it's worth to wait and it's way better than those wrecks 10 years ago.

Maybe I will take some pictures of Gulbene:).

Maybe I will take some pictures of Gulbene:).

Please, do it! :)

Last summer was in Gulbene - they were making an ambitious reconstruction of the enormous central park + complex of manor house buildings in that park. Should look wonderful by now. Ah, here website of one of the hotels at the park, very outdated though:
http://www.baltapils.lv/
http://www.baltapils.lv/Modules/Galleries/Images/41/2_213.175.114.43_633426434942287903.jpg

This looks amazing! Didn't know that Gulbene has such a marvelous place.

the pics from Gulbene f.i. would be highly appreciated here!! Just can't wait to see such masterpiece (The White Castle) being all reconstructed with adjoining territory!! :cheers:

First Sun powerstation in Baltics to be built near Daugavpils. Company "ProLat" is willing to rent 13 ha of land to the east from city to build a 4,6 MW powerstation. Don't know the technology, our regional journalists seem to be unable to describe it - some part of their sentences mean photovoltaic systems, some - solar-thermal systems.
Total investment - 16,5 mio EUR.

Neogothic (1876.) Rumene manor house near Kandava (Western Latvia) renovated. This brings the total number of recently renovated manor house complexes close to 40.
Pictures from portal www.a4d.lv/4d, authors - Ansis Starks, Ainars Gaidis.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8810/rumene5.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/38/rumene4.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1094/rumene1.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2577/rumene3.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9527/rumene2.jpg

Ventspils highschool is building the first space sattelite in Baltics - "Venta-1". This is so called nanosatellite, to be launched with Indian carrier in this autumn. They miss 100 000 LVL so far - so this project might be delayed as well.
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/9463/venta1.jpg
This satellite would be used to aid and control ship navigation in Baltic Sea as well as take photographs of Earth surface. Main goal is to educate new generation of space technology engineers in ventspils highschool through these activities.
Satellite will be controlled through Ventspils Radioastronomical centre in Irbene - it has been supplied with the necessary technologies lately. My picture of it - barbed wire is just a piece of remaining Soviet time fence.
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4566/irbeneslokat27apr08lc1.jpg
This is done with a goal to develop satellite technology business in Ventspils. The most perspective directions in this field for Ventspils are:
- services of Automatic Identification systems;
- processing of satellite signals;
- services for testing of specific space technologies.
Construction of specific premises for these industries have been advised by twinning partners in Bremen.

I was visiting Gulbene couple of weeks ago and that palace is already reconstructed. Well, at least it was possible to get a room in the hotel that is inside, and I had a dinner at the restaurant in there. Also, the big hall was restored and overall the building looked very impressive both from outside and inside. The only bad thing about it is that according to one of employees, the reconstruction itself was financed by "dirty money", thanks to some kind of regional money laundering scheme.

I was visiting Gulbene couple of weeks ago and that palace is already reconstructed. Well, at least it was possible to get a room in the hotel that is inside, and I had a dinner at the restaurant in there. Also, the big hall was restored and overall the building looked very impressive both from outside and inside.

The palace is still waiting for its reconstruction. Hotel is placed in former horse manege.;) Yes it looks pretty impressive.:)

12.06.09

Jurmala

http://s51.radikal.ru/i131/0906/52/814cf90bc5bd.jpg

Christmas lights in June??

/or

those are not Christmas lights, looks like a normal decorations

Reconstructed streets in Jūrmala
http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6794.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6808.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6800.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6799_1.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/IMG_0675.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/DSCF1766.jpg

Reconstructed streets in Jūrmala
http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6794.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6808.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6800.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/100_6799_1.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/IMG_0675.JPG

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/DSCF1766.jpg

How is it possible, those lights are made by a Belgian architect 20 years ago. I made a book with those lights included... Did Jurmala bought them in Belgium? Or worked with Belgian architect or company?

^^ No idea. :)

New village in Jaunolaine (20km southwest of Riga) near A8 highway.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/IMG_3018.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/IMG_3019.jpg

Līdz Jaunolainei tur kādi 10 km. Tām padsmit būdām tajā purvainā pļavā bija kautkāds jaunizdomāts nosaukums, tikai neatceros kāds. ;)

^ 2km, tuvu ir! :D Atcerējos, šim ciematam nosaukums ir "Lubauši". :)

Lubauši? Kurš gan kautko tik kretīnisku var izdomāt, var viegli sajaukt ar lutaušiem vai lupatlašiem :D
Paskatījos Google Earth, 3-4 km distance tomēr ir ;)

^ Pēdējā laikā Tev komentāri ir palikuši diezgan agresīvi vai ar tādu pieskaņu.
Nevajag pārāk daudz pārdzīvot faktu, ka Š ir ticis pie ''ruļļiem''. :cool:

^^Buut agresiivam ir ok. Nemitiigi ir sociaalais spiediens cilveekiem uzvesties atbilstoshi citu cilveeku izdomaataam uzvediibas normaam. Ja kaads taam nepakljaujas, tad tiek liekts, liekts, liekts liidz saluuzt un kljuust taads pats kaa visi paareejie - peleekaa masa.

Esi gresiivs, ja taa juuties. Atceries, citam paari ar savui agresiju nedari.

I finally found the answer, they bought from Schreder catalog. Schreder is world leader company of public lighting. Why world leader? Well, they equipped all magistrales of Belgium. As you may know, all highways of Belgium are lighted... So they took the competitive advantage and kept it.

By the way, it fits quite well in Jurmala...

Model is "Hermes". Hermes is God of travellers, of commerce and also of thiefs and liars ;) Maybe finally, it had to end in Jurmala, home of travellers... :lol:

^ Esi gresiivs, ja taa juuties. Atceries, citam paari ar savui agresiju nedari.

Tieshi taa. Cilvekam ir briviba but tadam, kads vinsh ir - tikai kameer taa neapdraud otra brivibu. Tomer reizeem ir ljoti gruti just sho robezhu - taa ir ljoti smalka.

Micrav, thanks for clearing that for us! :) I believe if it's produced in Belgium than it should work for years! Especially the design was chosen right, wave like, fits very well! :cheers:

Bauska's reconstruction and renovation works hasn't stoped after town's 400th anniversary which was celebrated this summer. Recently there has started reconstruction of one of 3 main streets of town - Uzvaras street (traffic arterie to/from Eleja, Jelgava, Dobele side). The whole street is being reconstructed in it's about 500 m length. The Soviet time asphalt was in really sad condition there, reconstruction badly needed.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8300/dsc6084.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/8224/dsc6087.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8548/dsc6089.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/682/dsc6091.jpg

One of tens of Bauska buildings which has been renovated in last years.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7128/dsc6086.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7071/dsc6097.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3393/dsc6098.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1443/dsc6099.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8616/dsc6121.jpg

Renovation of one building in town's old market area

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5752/dsc6151.jpg

This wooden building has got facade renovation

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9486/dsc6154.jpg

Reconstruction of art school and it's garden (there was even a crane this summer :) ) is closing to finish.

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9223/dsc6202.jpg

Wow, great shots, thanks! Really nice to see this thread restarted and with such progress from Bauska! :banana:

Awesome. Keep up a good work.

Anybody has pictures from Kegums reconstructed road + Skolas Street?

Using EU funds:

Jēkabpils is planning to develop high quality, modern infrastructure in the town, reconstructing Rīgas, Brīvības, Rūdolfa Blaumaņa and Zaļo street.

Gulbene is planning to reconstruct 27 streets, sidewalks, build a public bus turnaround area and bike paths untill 2011.

New village in Jaunolaine (20km southwest of Riga) near A8 highway.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/IMG_3018.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/IMG_3019.jpg

I hate it. What a horrible low density sprawl development (on what looks like valuable agriculture land?)

anyway, we cannot allow Latvia to make the same mistakes USA has made with low denstiry automobile oriented sprawl. Latvia needs to look at Europe (Amsterdam etc) and Japanese Shotengai neighborhoods for examples on how to develop urban areas.

Absolutely agree.
The proble is simple - in Riga there is missing strong metropolitan governance. Smaller municipalities around Riga are happy about people coming and building there. The more houses the more taxes coming in. Who in contemporary Latvia with its chaotic democracy can prohibit these municipalities to plan their belowed urban sprawl in their territorial plans?
The only way to deal with this - strong metropolitan governance, like in Portland (USA), Copenhagen and some more places.

I hate it. What a horrible low density sprawl development (on what looks like valuable agriculture land?)

anyway, we cannot allow Latvia to make the same mistakes USA has made with low denstiry automobile oriented sprawl. Latvia needs to look at Europe (Amsterdam etc) and Japanese Shotengai neighborhoods for examples on how to develop urban areas.

Those house really look ugly :(

Absolutely agree.
The proble is simple - in Riga there is missing strong metropolitan governance. Smaller municipalities around Riga are happy about people coming and building there. The more houses the more taxes coming in. Who in contemporary Latvia with its chaotic democracy can prohibit these municipalities to plan their belowed urban sprawl in their territorial plans?
The only way to deal with this - strong metropolitan governance, like in Portland (USA), Copenhagen and some more places.

wow you know about Portland USA? Very cool. Yes, Portland is awesome, they have done great things with city planning.

Why shouldn't I know??? I am working in city council after all.
Currently we are also interested in such cases as Curitiba, Bogota and some more. Other countries have experienced sharp economical decrease too. As one Curitiba planner said - "decrease the financing 7 times, and your phantasy will work 7 times better." So - we need to learn from them, there is no other way.

You work in city planning? Well I guess then you would know:) I lived near portland for a while, most people in Latvia don't even know it exists let alone know about its urban development

In Jurmala there is watch tower under construction - it will be located next to Dzintari concert hall and there will open beautiful view over Jomas Street.
Height will exceed 30 metres.

Local company "JK Energy" is planning to attract 2 billion EUR investment to build a sea windpark north-west from Liepaja. If government will be supportive and will accept development plan for sea territories of Latvia (we don't have it yet) up to Christmas - project might be implemented in 6 years time.
Total capacity of windpark - 900 MW. Electricity will be sold not in Baltics - but transported to Central European electricity networks. The link alone will cost 700 mio EUR.
According to developer of the project Janis Kaijaks - electricity can not be sold in Latvia due to "different specific reasons". I know them - but I will be called Russophobe for announcing them.

^ Sounds weird, so absolutely all energy will be exported to other countries, leaving nothing to our country?! That's a business! Hopefully that's a renewable source of energy.. However, they should start thinking of distrubuting the eco-friendly extracted energy all over Latvia, wouldn't that be too much for Liepaja region?!

Local company "JK Energy" is planning to attract 2 billion EUR investment to build a sea windpark north-west from Liepaja. If government will be supportive and will accept development plan for sea territories of Latvia (we don't have it yet) up to Christmas - project might be implemented in 6 years time.
Total capacity of windpark - 900 MW. Electricity will be sold not in Baltics - but transported to Central European electricity networks. The link alone will cost 700 mio EUR.
According to developer of the project Janis Kaijaks - electricity can not be sold in Latvia due to "different specific reasons". I know them - but I will be called Russophobe for announcing them.


How true is it? Is Russia really preventing us from moving towards energy independence?

There is politically motivated bribery to higher politicians for not doing some things like normal support for green energy.

Btw, I found pics of the watch tower being built in Jurmala:

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0071/701026/1060413_BIG_1259235590.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0071/701026/1060422_BIG_1259235591.jpg

http://www.diena.lv/upload/article/0071/701026/1060404_BIG_1259235589.jpg

That's another one - in Ragakaapa. don't know if this is built.

^ Oh, right, I just noticed that.. Strange, I found these pics in the article about Jurmala watch tower on Diena.lv. Well, those medias lie even by pictures..

Anybody has pictures from Kegums reconstructed road + Skolas Street?

Yes.

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_04.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_05.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_06.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_07.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_10.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_13.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_14.jpg

http://www.acb.lv/gallery/kjegums_15.jpg

Great website with pictures of castles in Latvia:

http://www.talava.com/latviancastles.html

^^ Nice pics.

Russia bought the town in Latvia

http://i.rus.tvnet.lv/article/novosti/126805_506x285.jpg

Privatization Agency (PA) on Friday succeeded by 1.5 million lats in the auction to sell Skrundas locator "town", informed the agency.

The former Soviet army officers in town with about 70 buildings in various stages of the collapse of the sale of 1 551 966 lats. Among the three participants in the auction most of these objects nosolīja Russian company "Aļeksejevskoje-Service", which was also recognized as the auction winner.

Auction start price of the property given was 153 966 lats. Privatization rules provide that the purchase cost of public property to the buyer to pay no more than 10 years. As a means of payment in most or 99.08%, the lats, while the remaining 0.92% - privatization certificates. In addition to the purchase price to the buyer bear the expenses of the Privatization Agency for the management of the facility, which currently has 49 783 lats.

On the future use of the facility in accordance with the approved municipal spatial planning will be decided by the same owner.

Skrundas locator "town" consists of four parcels of land with total area of 45.1042 hectares and 70 buildings and structures. It is located in residential buildings, administrative buildings, warehouses, greenhouses, barracks, garages, workshops and others, but since the Soviet army's disengagement nineties, this area has been unmanaged.

PA notes that "the positive fact that the property has a long been empty and in which there has been no financial activity has forfeited. "Firstly, because one of the objectives of privatization is to promote the attraction of private capital and create a favorable environment for business. Second, a particularly important success of the auction result is because, according to a regulatory framework, privatization proceeds are included in the national budget allocated for the purpose for which for the moment the country is a priority. Third, the Skrundas region to create the possibility of selling the item for further development and job creation, "expressed the PA.

Man, so Russians were those who bought it finally, not bad, at least somebody! So, I think now this place should face some serious, rather revolutionary innovations, revitalizations and improvements, they should live all the Soviet structures as only in this way this place's historic spirit could be stored and preserved with the aim to demonstrate the passed era! :cheers:

reading form the heading above:
Russian company "Aļeksejevskoje-Service" = state of Russia?

Liepāja

SIA „Aizputes ceļinieks” started Liepajas port new access road construction. Currently preparation works are being done. The new road will go from A9 (Riga-Liepaja) highway to Pulvera street roundabout, parallel to the railway line and this would significantly improve the heavy traffic flow to and from the port of Liepaja.

The new road will be 2,7 km long, of which 2,1 km will be a two-lane road. Project is financed by Cohesion funds.

9,5 mio LVL investment.

Ventspils

17.11.2009

Ventspils port improvements - gallery:
http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/vietas_celojumi/59/?i=574

27.11.2009

Reconstructed Tirgus square - gallery: http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/pasakumi_notikumi/84/?i=1245

11.02.2010

Bridge over Venta river reconstruction update - gallery:
http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/vietas_celojumi/129/?i=2439

Superb, Ventspils is just such a cute city!! :banana:

Apstiprina astoņas pilsētu projektu idejas


http://www.delfi.lv/news/national/politics/apstiprina-astonas-pilsetu-projektu-idejas.d?id=30171303

^ Interesting, really! Though, still just road repavement works mainly, nothing concerning long-term city/town development..

Gulbenes kultūras centrs piedzīvo renovāciju.

http://www.dzirkstele.lv/portals/vietejas/raksts.html?xml_id=20912

Plānota turpmāka ielu rekonstrukcija Gulbenē.

http://www.dzirkstele.lv/portals/vietejas/raksts.html?xml_id=20965

Cēsīs būs Vidzemes kultūras centrs- http://www.cesis24.lv/zinas/48/17596 :)

That's interesting to hear that about Cēsis. Wasn't there planned to be constructed a new concert hall?

Haven't heard about it... There were planned to build an Ice hall, few years ago,but it's cancelled, I guess, as many other projects like bowling hall (main building is built, but no other progress) etc. :( That would be great for such a small city like Cesis is.

^ Sure, considering the fact that Cēsis is not such a small town for Latvian scales, there are more little places in LV that have whether an ice hall or a bowling..

And of course state budget should sustain these ice halls...
Come on, most of ice halls built in 2000 - 2005 became silent bancrupts already by 2007 - 2008. There is needed either 100 000 city with income level like in Latvia or 20 000 city with an income like in Germany to sustain such an ice hall.

Am amazed by these smaller and bigger cities and towns jumping out of trousers to get ice halls, sports centres, culture houses, municipality buildings built and reconstructed... while the main attention should be on attracting industry, repairing streets, piping, insulation of houses, some independent energy production...

I'm completely agree with Gatis. I would say that ice hockey and cult of it is absurd and silly remnant of soviet times at all. Also those efforts - "concert hall for every town".

And we see what is going with hospitals on. Latvia needs maybe some 4-6 hospitals. But during those fat years there were millions of european money spent on expensive medical equiments. For allmost every smal hospital. And they are used maybe for 5-10%. Thats silly and wrong. But maybe it was purpousely done by TP - now when largest part of those hospitals are closed, propably the facilities with equipments would become privatized and becaome private health centres and so on.

^ Well, you'd better don't joke with the hospitals because that's the most important facility each town can ever have! You think that the money invested in them were some pointless expenses? Exactly they are the index of population's general condition!

Not 100% sure about the statistics, but I read somewhere that Latvia has way more hospitals per capita than any western country, and also way more people working in the health industry per capita. We definitely need health clinics (poliklinikas) in every town, but hospitals? I think this is more proof of how not much has changed since Soviet Union. The huge inefficient government machine is still in place. But of course people are against closing them, since most people don't understand the inefficiency. Just like the fact that we have more police officers than Finland. But if you try to reform the system, people will think you hate police officers. And that is why we are bankrupt, because 750,000 tax payers have to sustain 250,000 government employees.

That's exactly the point - some time ago I managed to dig up and posted here the figures - Latvia has a huge lot more teachers, medical personnel and administration per capita than any other country. As far as I know, government agencies were decimated last year per some 20 000 people - it seems we can not afford more at this moment because these people have not much options to survive anyway.

But even after the local government reform there are a huge lot more elected municipalities than is a norm in other countries. Such country as Latvia should have some 30 elected municipalities, smaller division should be left just for historical record.

Liepāja

Liepāja is planning to extend and reconstruct tram lines:
http://www.financenet.lv/zinas/332407-ar_es_lidzfinansejumu_pagarinas_tramvaja_liniju_liepaja

^ Now that's something! Incredible to hear that public transportation seems to be doing ok outside Riga! Now it's up to Daugavpils to act, they definately need some real improvements in their system!

Liepaja and Daugavpils both get similar sums - thus Daugavpils will also improve, They will buy new (used?) trams and reconstruct routes.

They will buy new (used?) trams and reconstruct routes.


They will get Riga tatras which will be replaced by 15t

Rēzeknes augstskolas modernezācija
http://www.delfi.lv/news/national/novadi/rezekne-buves-jaunu-inzenieru-fakultati-un-studentu-pilsetinu.d?id=32142417

They will get Riga tatras which will be replaced by 15t
Are you sure? That does not sound like an improvement.

Riga modernized Tatras are huge improvement over their run down RVR-6 and Russian KTM trams. They are too poor to afford something new.

Say, how will they change the width of the wheels as both in Liepāja and Daugavpils gauge of the tram tracks is different than in Riga!?

Btw, talking about high-school or universities modernisation, Daugavpils University would also get a big amount for new facilities construction!

Say, how will they change the width of the wheels as both in Liepāja and Daugavpils gauge of the tram tracks is different than in Riga!?

No. In Daugavpils gauge of the tram tracks is the same as in Riga - 1524 mm.
But in Liepāja, yes, it is different than in Riga and Daugavpils - 1000 mm.

^ Oh.. Then, the idea to give Tatras to Daugavpils isn't so bad after all, cinsidering the conditions of their current trams, those of Riga would look as new ones there.. But in Liepāja case, they should definately purchase new trams because for that city it is absolutely necessary to be in advance with trams due to the fact that it was Liepāja where the first trams in Latvia launched! :) Also, their trams in reality are totally outdated - that's the main reason actually!

This is almost Riga but not exactly Riga - Adazi village got new culture and education centre:
(very spiced image)
http://www.abc.lv/cms/kulturizglitibas_centrs_adazos_adazi_1_0_680x453.jpg
http://www.abc.lv/cms/kulturizglitibas_centrs_adazos_adazi_3_7_680x453.jpg

I am impressed! Excellent! Way to go Adazi!

Jurmala Dubulti

http://s45.radikal.ru/i108/1007/e6/27a2ed73f49b.jpg

Finished wath tower in Jūrmala.
http://i49.tinypic.com/4gi6c9.jpg

P.S. i couldnt enter the tower, coz the tower was closed and workers were repairing something.

I went up there 2 times. Fine view on Riga! Just a minute - will post pictures!

OK, here they come:

View towards the sea. In the background, far away - hills around Tukums:
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7219/mmajorutornis223jun10.jpg

View towards Riga. Basically only the highrise buildings are seen.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/604/mmajorutornis23jun10.jpg

wow the view to Riga is stunning. :uh:

^ And again it depends on personal taste. For me this view is not that nice because all the highrises seen are too spread out, some look cheap and unfinished (Panorama Plaza), but that's how it is for now.. Let's hope some restrictions would follow on what height to build and where..

I went up there 2 times.

Is it for free? And where is it located? I want to go up there too.

Using EU funds in several Latvian towns new bycicle paths will be built, those are:

Town --- Lenght of new paths
Dobele - 8 km
Tukums - 8,4 km
Sigulda - 11 km
Liepāja - 7,6 km
Riga - 12,8 km

http://www.zz.lv/portals/latvijas/raksts.html?xml_id=23211

Is it for free? And where is it located? I want to go up there too.

Afaik its free and is located in Dzintaru Mežaparks

Afaik its free and is located in Dzintaru Mežaparks

Thanks. :)

Fine news about bicycle movement implemention all over Latvia! I believe it would be just amazingly picturesque route in Sigulda that is going to be made! :cheers:

Today had a small trip to Sigulda with my bicycicle. I was really surprised of all the bicycle paths there!

Today had a small trip to Sigulda with my bicycicle. I was really surprised of all the bicycle paths there!

Sigulda is latvian little Switzerland... I like Abavas senleja too cuz' relief of this place made by ICE AGE.

My photography from Abavas Senleja. It's located in Kurzeme [west side of Latvia]

http://www.imagehost.ro/pict/050016294c30fa2d88cb6.jpg

^^ How old is that photo?

^^ How old is that photo?

I took this photo in 23th of June. 2010

I gues nothing much would've been changed there even if that was an old photo.. It's a pity such picturesque places are not being promoted and no money is pumped there to develop the area.. Imagine how wonderful could that look with just a little sum invested at least in the roads' improvement!

I took this photo in 23th of June. 2010

Looks very old. :)

E22/A10 reconstruction in Ventspils.

29.04.2010

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve11.jpg

Bridge over Venta river reconstruction. This will be the first bascule bridge in Latvia.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve12.jpg
More photos from April: http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/citi/192/

19.05.2010

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve6.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve7.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve8.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve9.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve10.jpg
More photos from May: http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/citi/210/

14.06.2010

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve1.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve2.jpg

More bridge reconstruction photos.
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve3.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve4.jpg

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve5.jpg
More photos from June: http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/citi/237/

great photos... Do you have photos from "Valmieras vanšu bridge? This bridge on photography

http://i.tvnet.lv/article/izklaide/337017_506x285.jpg

Looks very old. :)

E22/A10 reconstruction in Ventspils.

29.04.2010


http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q420/Ripley9895/ve5.jpg
More photos from June: http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/foto_galerijas/citi/237/

If I remember well, the actual bridge was fix and empeaching big and tall boats to access other side, right? So this improved version replaces the old and the bascule system will allow big boats to access that part now, thus expanding the port activity. Is it correct? And what about the bridge on which cards drive now, will it remain, is it a temporary bridge?

Do you have photos from "Valmieras vanšu bridge?

Sorry, no. I've never been to Valmiera before.

And what about the bridge on which cards drive now, will it remain, is it a temporary bridge?

Your talking about the new bridge opened recently?

^ I guess he is, so the answer is yes/no - I mean the new bridge will stay there, it is built with the aim to reduce the flow on the old bridge. Also, I'd like to add that they are intending to construct one more bridge in Ventspils, still nothing clear, but that is included into city's upcoming plans!

Я извиняюсь, а хорошие фото "торговых центров" Риги, на этом сайте есть?!

Just a few years old ones.

^ Not sure, you can google, that should help. Still, you could have a look in Riga City development thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=412691). I think there are projects of some..

Some money is left over from road tenders and Latvian State roads react on this:

This is earlier map of repair of local roads from ERDF finances:
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/2798/regionautoceli.jpg

This is more recent - they pour residual finances into reconstruction of very important state roads. Road builders will have lots of work in the coming years.
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9324/autoceli.jpg

There was left some money over also for transit streets in smaller towns and cities of Latvia:

The planned money was awarded to:
- Jekabpils = Neretas Str (they got already lots of streets rebuilt)
- Livani = Rigas Street (through whole city)
- Daugavpils = A13 transit street
- Tukums = Jelgavas Street
- Madona - reconstruction of several transit streets (they had already? what's left there to do?)
- Dobele = Brivibas Str
- Gulbene = reconstruction of transit streets
- Karsava = Vienibas Street (badly needed)
- Kraslava = Augusta and Rigas Str
- Auce = transit streets
- Aluksne = Pils Str
- Cesis = Petera Str
- Akniste = Augszemes and Skolas Str + bridge over Dienvidsuseja

The saved residue will be used in:
- Smiltene = Daugavas Str
- Ikskile = Skolas Str (badly needed indeed)
- Ludza = part of Latgales Str
- Strenci = part of Valkas Str
- Balvi = Berzpils Str
- Kuldiga = part of Ventspils Str
- Jaunjelgava = transit streets (finally)

There are ongoing works already in Ventspils, Bauska, Liepaja, Jelgava, Rezekne, Valka and Ogre.
- - -
There are two noble exceptions to this process. Jurmala is one. They got constant chaos. And Riga is another. Look, whom we elected in Riga.

Where can I find full resolution version of your second map?

Update from Gulbene.
Gaitnieku Street from Vidus Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220165.jpg
Gaitnieku Street from Līkā Street. Reconstructed Apartment house on the left.
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220167.jpg
Līkā Street from Rīgas Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220168.jpg
Ābeļu Street from Rīgas Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220172.jpg
Rīgas Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220173.jpg
At the end of Līkā Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220176.jpg
Rīgas Street ends and connects with Brīvības Street(one of the transit streets)
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220177.jpg
White Palace waits reconstruction
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220186.jpg
And while Palace is waiting, an old house is reconstructed and will serve as tourist info centre (History museum and greenhouses in background)
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220189.jpg
Dzirnavu Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220190.jpg
Beer factory on the right
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220194.jpg
Krasta Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220198.jpg
Returning to centre - Ābeļu Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220201.jpg
Rīgas Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220203.jpg
Town clock
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220204.jpg
Bērzu Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220207.jpg
Gulbene Culture centre reconstruction
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220208.jpg
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220215.jpg
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220216.jpg
One of the newest buildings in town
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220219.jpg
Kalpaka Street
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220222.jpg
Interesting bus stop finished just yesterday
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220163.jpg

Gulbene is becoming just neat with such massive streets revitalization works! Nice to follow that! ;)

And Gatis, thanks for the list of reconstruction works. So, instead of building town bypasses they decided to allocate money only for transit streets' improvement, IMO not long-run smart enough, especially with the towns through which run main transit flows this cannot be a solution..

thnx for photos from Gulbene... nice to see traffic roads and signs reconstruction.

Where can I find full resolution version of your second map?
Sorry, was away from computer, ABC LV. Full resolution map is available here:
http://www.lvceli.lv/LV/?i=648

I'm surprised about Gulbene. Looks better than expected.

I was so surprised because this platform looks much better than capital railway platforms.

New train platform near by Skriveri. :)

http://www.imagehost.ro/pict/261436364c4d7344ac18d.jpg

^^ How high is it? Don't look like 55cm above rail heads.

It looks 100 times better than platforms in Riga. Bravo, Skriveri !

^^ How high is it? Don't look like 55cm above rail heads.

It's not very high platform but beautiful and modern :) Great example for all Latvian platforms, especially for Riga platforms :) :cheers:

It was surprise for me because I never heard about train platforms reconstruction in Latvia ..

Also I was surprised about train platform material... It's not an asphalt :D
http://www.imagehost.ro/pict/261436364c4d7344ac18d.jpg

Well, now the only 55cm platforms in Latvia are in station Dendrārijs somewhere in forest near Skrīveri where should be no station at all. Here are some pics:
http://www.staburags.lv/news/article.html?xml_id=9146&order=desc

Well, now the only 55cm platforms in Latvia are in station Dendrārijs somewhere in forest near Skrīveri where should be no station at all. Here are some pics:
http://www.staburags.lv/news/article.html?xml_id=9146&order=desc

But it's so weird to see beautiful platform by European standards outside Riga. Somewhere in forest :D:D :cheers: First and only one modern train platform in Latvia :D:D:D thnx for info.

Cool! :cheers: Btw,you should post this stuff on Rail Baltica (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=320660) thread too,as I didn't knew (I'm sure that many other people still don't know about it) about Latvian railway platforms reconstruction project before I read it on Latvian sub-forum.

:ohno:

mGPPR-oYNNI

Quite a surprise with the platforms indeed. And that happens rather often in Latvia when somewhere far and in unpopular place something very impressive happens, but not a single media is capable to announce anything positive.. :bash:

:ohno:

mGPPR-oYNNI

Nice. Well, hopefully they do learn from this and all the next platforms will be perfect.

Btw, I'm just wondering, even if the platform was high enough, could you enter the train with a wheelchair since there'd be a gap between the ground and floor of train (where stairs are in train)?

^ Yep, this problem is not well-thought still in Latvia, and government doesn't really spend money to install in public places different units for the needs of disabled.. :ohno:

Update from Gulbene:
Last week I thought this was a "bus stop"
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/P7220163.jpg
but I was wrong it's a place where to leave a bike when visiting Railway station an Narrow-gauge railway.
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/04082010303.jpg

This is what the sign says
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/04082010305.jpg

Works on Upes Street almost finished
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/11082010316.jpg

Works on P36
Pictures taken on Saturday. No much of a works really seen here, but on the side of the road there was a meadow full of technique, so I guess works are really going fast if they use all of that.
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/24072010260.jpg

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/24072010262.jpg

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu43/o0RaiviS0o/Gulbene/24072010263.jpg

^^ I recommend you making a projects thread about Gulbene, seems that the whole town is U/C.

^^ I recommend you making a projects thread about Gulbene, seems that the whole town is U/C.

I don't think it's needed. After a while all major projects will be done and then there will be a long period of silence.

But it looks fine, thank you!

Gulbene looks very neat, all the main streets within the town seem to be repaved and clean! Maybe anything else besides road improvement will take place in Gulbene, f.i. train station reconstruction..?

^^Train station is property of LDz - it's all up to them, but wouldn't hope on that, cause town every year has to remind and push LDz to just trim a grass around station and rails, after all narrow-gauge railway is one of the biggest tourist attractions in our district. Stations surrounding looks like scrubby meadow.:ohno:

.....
Municipality approved SIA "Bioeninvest" CHP recontruction project. That means, that in 2014 Gulbene will have two heat producers SIA"Bioeninvest" and SIA"Vidzemes enerģija" (present supplier). Municipality will have competition and only one company will get the rights to supply town with heat.

That's fine, any initiative to get rid of Gazprom impact is great

Updates,
P80 Tīnūži-Koknese
1.
http://i35.tinypic.com/2ccp6aw.jpg
A6 Rīga - Daugavpils – Krāslava – Belarus border
http://i35.tinypic.com/qyv91u.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/30cb1n5.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/akvk47.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/33za3o9.jpg

Pictures of P4 coming later

The last pictures of A6 are probably on the section after Daugavpils in direction to Belarus border, right? So, they reconstruct that part, very interesting, that's just fine because Belarus border direction is in poor conditions on some stages, nice to see that they started to attract exactly Belarus destination, not just Russia as of Eastern directions!

The last pictures of A6 are probably on the section after Daugavpils in direction to Belarus border, right? So, they reconstruct that part, very interesting, that's just fine because Belarus border direction is in poor conditions on some stages, nice to see that they started to attract exactly Belarus destination, not just Russia as of Eastern directions!

Nope, if i remember correctly it was somehere not far from Skrīveri. I didnt travel on A6 further than Daugavpils. ;)

^ Hmm, and I hoped much for Belarus direction to become more popular because not much happens there, you know, it's all about transit flow to Russia mostly..

The last pictures of A6 are probably on the section after Daugavpils in direction to Belarus border, right?

No, that's somewhere near Līvāni town. Works on Daugavpils-BY section will start in 2012.

Reconstruction of P4 from 81th till 100th kilometer.
MAP:
http://i36.tinypic.com/2nly6op.png
Sorry for the quality, pictures as usual made by my phone
http://i34.tinypic.com/feqrn7.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/2mrrwwh.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/wlc47b.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/2j28d3c.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/34j4mz4.jpg
Building a bridge over a small river,
http://i38.tinypic.com/a3pbbs.jpg

Construction started: May this year
Should be finished in October this year. :)

Hope gefiltefish dosent mind. :)
E22/P80 Tinuži-Koknese On 11.08.2010
Section from P32 to Koknese, approximately 20 km. Here's the rough map of the future road.
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/4015/map1ok.jpg (http://img295.imageshack.us/i/map1ok.jpg/)

1.
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/7219/e22p32ko201008110080.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110080.jpg/)

2.
http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/6643/e22p32ko201008110081.jpg (http://img814.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110081.jpg/)

3.
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1521/e22p32ko201008110092.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110092.jpg/)

4.
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4210/e22p32ko201008110095.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110095.jpg/)

5.Future overpass and railroad Riga-Daugavpils near Koknese
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4030/e22p32ko201008110108.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110108.jpg/)

6. Almost same place
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/9402/e22p32ko201008110118.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110118.jpg/)

7.Enter to roundabout near Koknese
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/9548/e22p32ko201008110138.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/i/e22p32ko201008110138.jpg/)

If someone dosen't know, thsi is a new road being built (and reconstructedin some parts), from Ulbroka till Koknese, and it will be the new highwya to Daugavpils.
By 2012 it will be finished as 1x1 road, and in period from 2017 till 2021 it will be widened to 2x2.

^^I had no idea! That's really awesome. Hopefully they will start doing that to Ventspils and Liepajas highways also.

^ They will, but no sooner than next summer or even in two summers.. Still, these two routes are prior to improvements! :cheers:

Repaving of A2 from 47th till 50th kilometer.
MAP:
http://i36.tinypic.com/10qavix.png

http://i37.tinypic.com/sgs3lg.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/334i7p0.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/110y5pi.jpg
Construction started: August this year.
Should be finished in September this year. :)

Repaving of A2 from 47th till 50th kilometer.
MAP:
http://i36.tinypic.com/10qavix.png

http://i37.tinypic.com/sgs3lg.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/334i7p0.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/110y5pi.jpg
Construction started: August this year.
Should be finished in September this year. :)

So strange that the road there ends by only 1x2, instead of 2x2, which could be extended to the South of Sigulda, forming a new town expressway bypass..! Hope with Riga-Sigulda A2 road total reconstruction works that are scheduled for the coming year they would think over this idea.

Road U/C in Latvia 2010
Red: P roads being reconstructed
Blue: A roads being reconstructed
Purple: A roads being repaved.
http://i33.tinypic.com/run34k.jpg
Full size:
http://i38.tinypic.com/23mnhc2.jpg

Galvenais, lai ceļu kvalitāte nebūtu sliktāka nekā pirms rekonstrukcijas. :)

Galvenais, lai ceļu kvalitāte nebūtu sliktāka nekā pirms rekonstrukcijas. :)
Lielākā daļa P ceļu pirms rekonstrukcijas bija grants, tagad viņi tiek pārklāti ar asfaltu. :)

Makaveli, is the A2 really being repaved from P3 crossing till Sēnīte? Both sides?

^ Looks like that. Well that's quiet good although Sigulda needs a bypass IMO as the road after Sēnīte is sometimes overloaded and all the flow foes just through the town, which is not acceptable for a real European-level highway..

Well that's quiet good although Sigulda needs a bypass IMO as the road after Sēnīte is sometimes overloaded and all the flow foes just through the town, which is not acceptable for a real European-level highway..

Planning on Siguldas bypass was started long time ago. As much as I know, they haven't choosed the right variant to build, I haven't found any recent news about the project, I think they left it for better times.

You can view the Environment Impact Assessment and all three variants here (in PDF format): http://www.lvceli.lv/LV/?i=107&DirID=147

Planning on Siguldas bypass was started long time ago. As much as I know, they haven't choosed the right variant to build, I haven't found any recent news about the project, I think they left it for better times.


In the "Plāns nr.2" file you can see that the two options were proposed - one in the existing route, the second - an extremely long by-pass. The obvious route just around the built-up area wasn't even proposed and - as I did read from public hearing protocols once - the planners couldn't justify why it was not investigated (smells bit of corruption) but locals insisted on including it too. Since then haven't heard of any progress on Sigulda bypass project.

Makaveli, is the A2 really being repaved from P3 crossing till Sēnīte? Both sides?
Not sure realy, when i was there yesterday, there were road construction signs on the viaduct in Sēnīte, though they were covered. I think they are going to start scraping off the old asphalt this monday, but im not sure though.

Not sure realy, when i was there yesterday, there were road construction signs on the viaduct in Sēnīte, though they were covered. I think they are going to start scraping off the old asphalt this monday, but im not sure though.

They are only working on A2 viaducts, the rest of A2 from Sēnīte till Riga will be reconstructed/repaved only when works will begin on turning this section into a expressway, which hopefully will start next year.

They are only working on A2 viaducts, the rest of A2 from Sēnīte till Riga will be reconstructed/repaved only when works will begin on turning this section into a expressway, which hopefully will start next year.
Esi pārliecināts?
Pārskatot to sarakstu, ar remontdarbiem šogad, minēts, ka segas atjaunošana no 24,40. līdz 38,10. km, tajā skaitā viadukti un tilti 24,40km, 37,70km, 38km un 38,10 km
Vismaz es sapratu tā. :)

Labi, piekrītu. Es dzirdēju tikai par tiltiem.

Lielākā daļa P ceļu pirms rekonstrukcijas bija grants, tagad viņi tiek pārklāti ar asfaltu. :)

Forši. :)

It's good that the connection from Sēnīte to Sigulda itself will get new pavement because when you just leave 2x2 highway and is forced to drive on a 1x2 road it's one thing, other thing is when this width change becomes bumpy - just not the best impression it creates, you know!

Repaving of A2 from 24th till 38th kilometer.
MAP:
http://i55.tinypic.com/j64e52.png
(the blue colours shows the whole 13 kilometer stretch which will be repaved, and the black colour shows where the pictures have been taken. (repving of other parts will start later this month afaik)
http://i56.tinypic.com/14si7uo.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/642kn5.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/xp1yxz.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/n54twx.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/2jbmfwk.jpg
Construction started: August this year.
Should be finished in October this year.

Repaving of A2 from 47th till 50th kilometer.
MAP:
http://i36.tinypic.com/10qavix.png

http://i56.tinypic.com/wb2ogm.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/282jo0o.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/4kbkhj.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/rv96i8.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/zy62yb.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/242yejn.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/2wny4c3.jpg
Construction started: August this year.
Should be finished in September this year.

Repaving of A2 from 60th to 60rd kilometer
MAP:
http://i51.tinypic.com/51yqud.png
The only picture i got was blurry, but there isnt anything much going on, only the old asphalts is scraped off.
http://i53.tinypic.com/21dpeyx.jpg
Construction started: August this year.
Should be finished in September this year.

Reconstruction of P32 from 14th to 17th kilometer
MAP:
http://i53.tinypic.com/2wod25x.png
http://i53.tinypic.com/u1y68.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2rc4axh.jpg
Construction started: July this year.
Should be finished in November this year. :)

Thanks, better than nothig at least! :)

I thought that small section from Sigulda to Riga direction near Sigulda is already repaved.

Gulbene Street reconstruction-stage 3 approved. In total more than 11km will be reconstructed. Works could start next spring.
Street list and article about works (in Latvian)
http://www.dzirkstele.lv/portals/vietejas/raksts.html?xml_id=24077

Also P36 road reconstruction succesfully on going. In 2013 Gulbene and R'ezekne should be connected with asphalt.

On the 6th of September, Valkas bypass construction was started. The new road will be completed in 2012. Construction costs ~5 mio LVL.

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/maza%20bilde_2.JPG

On the 6th of September, Valkas bypass construction was started. The new road will be completed in 2012. Construction costs ~5 mio LVL.

http://www.binders.lv/uploads/filedir/maza%20bilde_2.JPG
Wow, i didnt know they are going to build bypass for Valka. Do you have any maps, how it should look like?

Do you have any maps, how it should look like?

I don't have, sorry.

Valka bypass today,
http://i52.tinypic.com/29ysbvd.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2mn3szn.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/34ff81j.jpg

Good!

I'm more happy about new Riga Daugavpils road, all those Ogre, Kegums, Lielvarde and other endless towns and villages + really curvy road made trip to Latgale really tough because overtaking is very hard there + dangerous in most places and many trucks driving.

But I think 2*2 is need only till Jekabpils because after it roads are fairy empty< I mean Jekabpils - Daugavpils and Jekabpils - Rezekne. Now scretch from Jekabpils towards Rezekne is awesome, pavement is perfect, very straight, forces you to drive 120 - 130 km/h. ^^

I guess Riga Ventspils ir kinda empty after Talsi juntction as far as I drove it, I don't believe it needs 2*2 after Tukums.
But Riga - Liepaja till Saldus and Liepaja Grobina could hopefully become 2*2 one day. Currently the road is very straight till Saldus than it gets curvy but it makes ride more amazing because not many trucks drive there + enough possibilities to overtake safely.

The worst part I know is Riga - Kekava. It is in bad condition and awfully overloaded, no overtaking possible in peak hours, just one slow rider stops traffic and creates nervousness. And all those damn left turns including from adjacent roads. Traffic lights in one road near Riga and Balozi turn on 1*1 road are nonsense, they could make 100m 2*2 before and after junctions to speed up passing of junction. Southern bridge made situation tougher :)

Same goes for Vienibas Gatve at Riga - Jelgava start. Why isn't it made at least 1*2 creating extra lane for those leaving city. Very annoying to stand there in Friday evening isn't it? Also there is enough place to put third line on that 800 m long 1*1 scratch until roads gets back to 2*2.

But I think 2*2 is need only till Jekabpils because after it roads are fairy empty
Yep, correctly IMHO.

There is even less need for 2+2 roads.

There will be three - four 1+1 roads in eastern direction from Riga: a) the new one, b) the one through all those small towns, c) the one through Vecumnieki - Subate will be asphalted and this is the shortest and fastest way towards Daugavpils and Belarus d) left bank road to Jekabpils also is asphalted now and this is the fourth option. These last two will take lots of traffic away from the usual route through Ogre+Lielvarde.
And as a result - building of 2+2 will have no sense in this direction in coming 15 years at least.

What will come after these 15 years? 1st - fuel price will go up a lot. 2nd - EU latest policy is that Eastern Europe should introduce a lot heavier road taxing and a lot less price for freight rail. Otherwise we are not competitive and too easily influenced by oil-rich countries (this is not my own interpretation but - talks by German members of European Parliament last week in Berlin, where I was present). So... I don't see any 2+2 roads coming in this direction, at least no sense to invest in this.

The only 2+2 roads are needed around Riga and inside it. Kekava bypass is one - this is one of priorities of Latvian State Roads.
Vienibas gatve might be expanded to 2+2 in next year, if we are lucky. Proposal to do this is handed in.

The only 2+2 roads are needed around Riga and inside it. Kekava bypass is one - this is one of priorities of Latvian State Roads.
Vienibas gatve might be expanded to 2+2 in next year, if we are lucky. Proposal to do this is handed in.

Good news!

But I think 2*2 are still much more convenient to drive, also safer. If we could use euro money for building some it could be awesome. Sure 2*2 attracts more drivers. If Riga jekabpils new road will be 2*2 it would take most of the traffic. Maybe investing in faster railway would be better I don't know.

15273469
21st September
In the start you can see the construction of Valka bypass too.

Gulbene culture center reconstruction works has ended.
Total costs - 1,2 mio lats.

http://www.dzirkstele.lv/resources/news/500x331x331x500/20101018124712-kulturas%20centra%20pienemsana%20013.JPG

http://www.dzirkstele.lv/resources/news/500x331x331x500/20101018124707-kulturas%20centra%20pienemsana%20005.JPG

http://www.dzirkstele.lv/resources/news/500x331x331x500/20101018124711-kulturas%20centra%20pienemsana%20010.JPG

Maybe I'll have a chance to take some pictures after official re-opening on 6th November.

Bauska town has started to realize one of it's most ambitious projects - the reconstruction of historical Towhnall building. Costs - almost 0.5 mio lats, 85% of them comes from EU funds.
It's interesting that Bauska's townhall building wasn't destroyed in war, town itself demolished the tower and second floor in 19th century because they lack finances to reconstruct it back then. Now almost 150 years has passed and Bauska will use EU money to build back what was demolished then.

http://www.urbancentre.net/citylife/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DSC_0273.jpg

http://www.zz.lv/resources/news/300x200/20100225162404-Bauskas%20ratsnams%20bauskalv.jpg

Reconstruction of A5 from 3rd till 7th kilometer.
MAP:
http://i51.tinypic.com/2hpuivo.png
(blue shows the part u/c)
http://i55.tinypic.com/2qx7zev.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/jakp3m.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/732x3o.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/20jicfn.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/npl05f.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/72ygba.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/jfxbo6.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/142d9at.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/bi9poj.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/v3q7o3.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/30confb.jpg

Construction started: August this year.
Should be finished in October 2011.

Woaw, are they making "4" lanes? Like from Adazi to Saulkrasti? I mean 1,5 lane on each direction on this dam?

Woaw, are they making "4" lanes? Like from Adazi to Saulkrasti? I mean 1,5 lane on each direction on this dam?
Not sure, but could be since it is financed by EU

That would be a fatal error if they don't wide it to 11,5m. This road simply requires 4 lanes, hopefully they will do it right.

Liepaja today gets very important new infrastructure:
- new railway connection to Liepaja Karosta with several railway branches in the port
- reconstruction of historical Karosta bridge
- new 2.7 km long Karosta access road to Riga-Liepaja road.

Liepaja port in principle has the best opportunities to become one of the largest ports in region - but this somehow does not happen thus far... Now there are better chances.

Ja, by the way, how do you explain that our industrial ports don't grow really? Is there really a competition between Liepaja and Ventspils? Or are they complementary? Ventspils seem much more developped. Liepaja is much smaller compared to it, no?

One thing is both part are quite insulated from real economical activity, from Riga, so what are plans for them. If they are not linked with magistrale to Lithuania and to Riga, I don't see very bright future for them unfortunately. Just small ports that will live. I hope I am wrong...

Micrav, you are right.
Ventspils and especially Liepaja in longer term are more competitive than Riga - ships should go to Riga for one day longer and they should pass shallow, constantly changing banks in Irbe promontory and Daugava mouth.

Liepaja has much space for development in its port. Ventspils in last decades was more successful due to: a) oil pipeline; b) a kind of local dictatorship - what is short-term gain. Liepaja in turn was not too successful due to: not priority port for local "bonzas" and as a result - weaker direct personal contacts with Russia and Belarus. Their own planning has been weaker - they miss the approach of Ventspils who in empty place have created high-school + scientific laboratories + science to technology transfer centres + innovative industries.

For success of Liepaja serious change in attitudes in Latvia is needed. Link to Lithuania won't help to them - Liepaja could offer services twice as cheap and efficient as Klaipeda (they don't) , but LT goods would anyway go through Klaipeda.

Micrav, you are right.
Ventspils and especially Liepaja in longer term are more competitive than Riga - ships should go to Riga for one day longer and they should pass shallow, constantly changing banks in Irbe promontory and Daugava mouth.

Liepaja has much space for development in its port. Ventspils in last decades was more successful due to: a) oil pipeline; b) a kind of local dictatorship - what is short-term gain. Liepaja in turn was not too successful due to: not priority port for local "bonzas" and as a result - weaker direct personal contacts with Russia and Belarus. Their own planning has been weaker - they miss the approach of Ventspils who in empty place have created high-school + scientific laboratories + science to technology transfer centres + innovative industries.

For success of Liepaja serious change in attitudes in Latvia is needed. Link to Lithuania won't help to them - Liepaja could offer services twice as cheap and efficient as Klaipeda (they don't) , but LT goods would anyway go through Klaipeda.

Liepaja - criminal city, unsafe. Ventspils - other story.

Liepaja - criminal city, unsafe. Ventspils - other story.

Sorry, u cannot say such words like this. "criminal city, unsafe" about Liepaja.

There are honest people everywhere and Liepaja has changed recently. Looks quite nice today. There is room for improvement. See bottle half full, not half empty. So maybe there are still some criminal in the city, but tell everybody who they are then... And lets wash this country out of dirt. I know again non Latvians that hoped in Latvia, leaving the country, demotivated... Too harsh. Sad news, but if you vehiculate such bad image of a city of Latvia, it will not help.

Latvia is a fantastic country with fantatstic people if you want it. It is not politics who make a country, it is people, ALL people! And your weight is the same as the one of your President or a mayor. Tomorrow, you can change your country too, preferably positively!

50 years of "closed military city" status fucked up Liepaja for real good. Civilian port was not developed at all, only local fishing trawlers were allowed to enter Liepāja port. Before that Liepāja was 5 times larger and 10 times richer than Memel/Klaipeda.

On 24th of November central heating system of Salacgriva town will switch over to the heat produced by the sea.
Town has ambitious goal to become fully independent from outer sources of energy - they already have installed rather many Sun elements and wind generators.

Heat produced by the sea? Do you mean wave energy? Any photos?

I guess it is based on the phenomenon that the water temperature at the seabed is always +4 degrees. So the "warm" water is pumped out and the heat collected. Big thumbs up for Salacgrīva.