⚡️ Salacgrīva Opens New Bridge on A1 — Key Link of the Baltic North–South Corridor
Traffic over the new Salacgrīva bridge on the Tallinn Highway (A1) is now fully open in both directions, with no lights or restrictions. Heavy trucks — including military vehicles — can cross without limitations.
Construction was led by Latvijas Valsts ceļi (LVC) after the state took over the deteriorated 1960 bridge from the municipality in 2024. The project cost €14.97 million (excl. VAT), with half financed by the EU Military Mobility Fund. Works began in June 2024 with a temporary bridge, followed by demolition, new supports and the installation of steel–concrete beams. Full completion of surrounding works is expected by the end of this year.
The new four-span structure is 14.5 m wide, with an 8 m carriageway and sidewalks on both sides, including a widened viewing platform above the third support. Energy-efficient lighting is built into both the poles and the handrails.
Officials highlighted the project’s regional relevance. Minister of Transport Atis Švinka noted that the bridge is “important not only locally but for the entire Baltic region,” citing its role in mobility and security. LVC emphasized the technical complexity, environmental restrictions due to salmon spawning, and intense public oversight.
Context:
The A1 is the northern segment of Via Baltica, the main road corridor linking Tallinn–Riga–Kaunas–Warsaw and the rest of the EU. Until Rail Baltica is completed, A1/A5 remains the only uninterrupted north–south backbone for both civilian and military mobility.
Poland also completed another section of Via Baltica, signaling simultaneous progress on both ends of the corridor.
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Image: photos/photo_40@14-11-2025_19-50-08.jpg