Jelgava to rebuild Lithuanian Highway railway overpass

Jelgava will begin rebuilding the Lithuanian Highway overpass over the railway on Tuesday, October 13, with two of its four lanes closed to traffic, LSM reports, citing the city municipality.

The closures will affect the stretch from the Pasta Street roundabout to Savienības Street. During the first phase, work will take place on the lanes heading towards the city centre, on the Riga side of the overpass. Traffic in both directions will use one lane each on the opposite side, towards Riga, or the Dobele side.

Pedestrian traffic on the Riga side of the overpass will also be closed during construction. Pedestrians will be directed to the other side. The speed limit across the overpass will be 30 km/h, and drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and follow signs.

Although the overpass has been deemed safe for pedestrians and vehicles, inspections found its technical condition unsatisfactory and a major reconstruction necessary. Water entering the structure is causing damage.

The work will renew the overpass structure and waterproofing, resurface the road, widen and improve the pedestrian pavements and safety measures, replace lighting supports, rebuild the rainwater collection system and improve the surrounding area. Work on the Riga side is due to finish by late summer 2027, with the full reconstruction scheduled for completion by June 2028.

The project will cost 5.26 million euros, funded equally by the Ministry of Transport and Jelgava municipality. Built in 1979, the overpass is one of the city’s key transport infrastructure links. About 16,000 vehicles cross it daily, including around 2,300 trucks and buses.