Committee chairwoman Marta Kotello announced at a plenary session that a public meeting with residents will be held on September 10 at 6 PM at the Koka Rīga center on Krasotā Street 12 to address ongoing traffic calming controversies.
Traffic Reductions and Enforcement on Historic Streets
Radical traffic changes rolled out across Grizinkalns since the spring have dramatically altered daily transit in the area, which features 120-year-old Jugendstil and wooden architecture built during the era of horse-drawn carriages. Kristaps Kauliņš, director of the Department of External Spaces and Mobility, confirmed at a committee meeting that speed limits have dropped to a maximum of 20 km/h on Varna, Alauksts, Zvaygzhnyu, Laboratory, Terese, and Lauku streets. Additionally, a 30 km/h limit now applies on Ata, Stadium, Rudolf, and Sapiers streets, while tariff zones C and D regulate paid parking.
Physical barriers have also disrupted traditional routes. According to municipal reports, concrete blocks decorated with sparse vegetation now obstruct traffic at the corner of Varna and Laboratory streets. However, Municipal Police data shows these measures are frequently ignored, logging 426 violations on Varna Street by July 15. Kauliņš noted that officials are reviewing four distinct solutions for Varna Street traffic organization, including potential replacements for the concrete blocks like “smart” cameras or hydraulic bollards used in European capitals to ensure emergency service access for ambulances and fire trucks.
Conflicting Public Feedback and Survey Methodology
According to the department’s public opinion survey, 76.9% of the 3,933 submitted opinions viewed the traffic shifts positively. However, Kauliņš admitted that the survey methodology lacked robustness because neither specific residency nor vote limits were enforced, allowing participants to cast simultaneous verdicts from smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Opponents gathered 3,065 verified signatures on the Manabalss.lv portal, with every participant undergoing mandatory identification procedures. Adding another layer of local oversight, the Grizinkalns Neighborhood Society maintains an active presence in the debate, though municipal records note the association consists of 129 members and was originally initiated by Committee Chairwoman Marta Kotello.
Did you know? Traffic planners in historic European districts often utilize retractable hydraulic bollards instead of permanent concrete blocks to balance emergency vehicle clearance with pedestrian safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the upcoming residents’ meeting?
According to Marta Kotello, the meeting will take place on September 10 at 6 PM at the Koka Rīga center located at Krasotā Street 12.
How many traffic violations were recorded on Varna Street?
What alternate traffic organizing solutions are being discussed?
Kristaps Kauliņš confirmed that the Department of External Spaces and Mobility is evaluating four distinct options, including replacing obstructive concrete blocks with smart cameras or hydraulic bollards.
How many signatures did opponents of the traffic changes collect?
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