17,800 m2 of potholes repaired in Riga in the first quarter

In the first three months of this year, 17,813 m2 of potholes were repaired in Riga, the Riga City Council's Transport Department reports. 

Of this total, 9,301 m2 were repaired using cold asphalt concrete technology to eliminate potholes posing a danger to traffic. In the second half of March, when the average daily temperature stabilised above +5 degrees, mass pothole repairs using the usual technology—hot asphalt—began. The area of potholes repaired with hot asphalt concrete reached 8,512 m2 in March.

During the winter months and in March, when the air temperature was around zero, potholes posing a danger to traffic were repaired more intensively using cold asphalt-laying technology. This is the only pothole-repair technology that can be used regardless of weather conditions, including when the air temperature is below zero. The main objective of this work was to prevent dangerous situations for traffic. 

Meanwhile, as the air temperature stabilised above +5 degrees, pothole repairs using hot asphalt began in the second half of March. This technology has a significantly longer service life and is approximately 1.5 times cheaper than cold asphalt concrete. It should be taken into account that the service life of repaired potholes is affected by several factors—weather conditions, traffic intensity and the condition of the road surface.

Potholes are repaired in order of priority according to the street-maintenance categories. The surfaces of bridges, overpasses and arterial roads are inspected at least once a week; Category 2 streets are inspected at least once every two weeks, while Category 3 streets, or local streets, are inspected at least once a month. The Transport Department also responds to reports from residents received by the Traffic Management Centre.

Street-maintenance regulations stipulate that, after information is received, repairs to potholes posing a danger to traffic must be carried out within three hours. If this is not immediately possible, road signs are installed or the relevant area is cordoned off within that period, until repair work is carried out.

Lists of streets divided into categories are available here: https://www.rdsd.lv/informacija/informacija-par-ziemas-uzturesanu/ielu-uzturesanas-kategorijas

To promptly eliminate potholes posing a danger to traffic, drivers are invited to report them to the Traffic Management Centre by calling the toll-free information hotline, available 24 hours a day— 80003600.

Information prepared by: A. Keišs, Head of Public Relations at the Riga City Council's Transport Department, tel. 28601014

Author

Riga City Council's Communications Department