Apeirons flags access problems at rebuilt Zemitāns overpass

Accessibility problems have emerged at the newly rebuilt Zemitāns overpass in Riga, including tactile paving that leads into a post and lift doors that do not close, LSM reported. The Apeirons association found the issues during an on-site inspection of the overpass, Zemitāni station and the nearby mobility hub. The overpass reconstruction was completed about a month ago.

Apeirons also found gaps beside the railings where a person’s foot could become trapped or a cane could fall through. The works were carried out alongside construction of the Zemitāni mobility hub. The overpass and mobility hub are managed by Riga municipality, while the adjacent station is managed separately.

The municipality said the railings and other structures were built according to the approved construction design, which was prepared by certified designers and reviewed by a certified expert. It will commission an independent technical assessment of sections of the bridge railings and consider solutions if defects are found, said Gatis Uzeliņš, head of the Riga City Council’s Strategic Development Projects Department.

The works also affected a platform at Zemitāni station. Latvian Railways acknowledged that a post obstructing the tactile guidance path for blind people was unacceptable. The new lift had blocked a train-stopping marker used by drivers, so the marker was moved and the post ended up too close to the guidance path. Latvian Railways said it was seeking a solution with the responsible colleagues.