BNN interview with Jānis Vitenbergs

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You have identified the development of regional and local roads as one of your priorities. However, according to a Ministry of Transport informative report, in 2021, 12.3% of state roads with asphalt surfaces were in very poor condition. A similar situation existed for state roads with gravel surfaces, where 54.2% were classified as being in very poor condition. How many of these roads are planned to be restored in the coming years? Is there the necessary funding for this?

The funding allocated to roads each year is insufficient. In previous years, the emphasis has been on national roads and regional roads. Local roads have been neglected, and the situation is quite alarming. Therefore, this was one of my priorities in budget negotiations, and an agreement has been reached to increase state road funding beyond the baseline budget over the next three years. This year, 11 million euros are earmarked for this, 15 million next year, and 17 million euros in 2025.

It is expected that with the help of this programme, we will repair an additional 150 kilometres of local roads over three years. These must be roads that connect parish centres with regional centres, so that people can receive quality services and travel to work, see a doctor, take their children to school, and go everywhere else they need to without difficulty. Currently, as is well known, many people struggle to get out of their place of residence, which is why my priority is specifically the improvement of this road network.
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