Alberta and Antonijas streets to become pedestrian zones for six weekends

Alberta Street and a section of Antonijas Street in Riga will become pedestrian streets over six weekends from August 14 to September 20, LSM reported, citing the municipality.

The restrictions will apply to the section of Antonijas Street between Dzirnavu Street and Elizabetes Street. The pedestrian street regime will begin at 8 p.m. every Friday and remain in effect until midnight on Sunday.

Road signs will mark the streets as residential zones, prohibit through traffic by motor vehicles and ban stopping and parking along the streets during the pedestrian street hours.

No physical barriers will be placed on the roadways, allowing emergency vehicles to enter and residents to access their properties. Residents will be able to drive into and out of their courtyards in line with the traffic signs, while businesses will be given designated times for deliveries.

The initiative is being carried out in cooperation with restaurants and cafes on the streets. With municipal approval, businesses will be able to expand their terraces at weekends and offer special deals to visitors.

Residents with permits on Antonijas and Alberta streets will be able to use paid parking in the street section where their address is registered, as well as in paid parking zones in the adjacent blocks on both sides of that section, provided the zones have the same or lower tariffs. If parking is not available in the relevant location, the permit will also allow them to use another available paid parking space in one of the street sections listed on the permit.

Traffic signs had been installed on the relevant street sections by the beginning of the week, and information stands had been placed on the pavements.