Latvia's highways to be like highways in Europe in six years
Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (Latvia^apostrofs;s First Party) hopes to bring order to Latvia^apostrofs;s highways and make them like highways in Europe in the coming five or six, but no more than eight years.
Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (Latvia's First Party) hopes to bring order to Latvia's highways and make them like highways in Europe in the coming five or six, but no more than eight years.
Slesers told reporters this week that specialists' opinion, that 10-15 years are needed for bringing Latvia's highways to the level of the European Union's highways, is exaggerated.
One of the solutions to the problem is establishment of a new joint-stock company, "Latvijas valsts celi" (Latvian National Highways), therefore additional funds could be attracted. "Highways must become one of the national priorities," Slesers said.
Slesers also believes that building new highways is better than mending potholes on the old ones. As for bettering the situation in Riga, Slesers hopes to achieve that trucks will no longer have to pass through downtown Riga.
The joint-stock railroad company "Latvijas dzelzcels" should ensure that various freights from Latvia's regions be transported by rail, not highways.
Latvian Highway Administration's chairman of the board Olafs Kronlaks told reporters that the Transport Ministry could allot LVL 25 million for maintenance of roads next year, LVL 7 million more than this year. Therefore, condition of second category highways could be improved, he said.
The administration is alarmed about the increasing number of road accidents recently, Kronlans said. Any new roads that will be built will have improved traffic safety elements, he said.
Slesers has said he believes that 60 percent of revenues from excise tax on diesel fuel should be shunted to highway maintenance next year, and the figure should be raised to 80 percent in the coming years. The State Highway Fund must be restored, he also said.
Slesers told reporters this week that specialists' opinion, that 10-15 years are needed for bringing Latvia's highways to the level of the European Union's highways, is exaggerated.
One of the solutions to the problem is establishment of a new joint-stock company, "Latvijas valsts celi" (Latvian National Highways), therefore additional funds could be attracted. "Highways must become one of the national priorities," Slesers said.
Slesers also believes that building new highways is better than mending potholes on the old ones. As for bettering the situation in Riga, Slesers hopes to achieve that trucks will no longer have to pass through downtown Riga.
The joint-stock railroad company "Latvijas dzelzcels" should ensure that various freights from Latvia's regions be transported by rail, not highways.
Latvian Highway Administration's chairman of the board Olafs Kronlaks told reporters that the Transport Ministry could allot LVL 25 million for maintenance of roads next year, LVL 7 million more than this year. Therefore, condition of second category highways could be improved, he said.
The administration is alarmed about the increasing number of road accidents recently, Kronlans said. Any new roads that will be built will have improved traffic safety elements, he said.
Slesers has said he believes that 60 percent of revenues from excise tax on diesel fuel should be shunted to highway maintenance next year, and the figure should be raised to 80 percent in the coming years. The State Highway Fund must be restored, he also said.
