2019

A New and Safe Bridge over the River Vēždūka in Kurzeme

In addition to forest roads, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) is also responsible for 81 bridges and 178 large culverts with a diameter of more than 2 metres. Every five years, these facilities are subject to major inspections where certified bridge construction engineers assess their technical condition and, if necessary, give instructions for further action.

The bridge facility “Jāņtoma caurteka” over the River Vēždūka in Usma district in LVM North Kurzeme region was also inspected in 2017. The condition of the culvert was rated as bad and the inspectors recommended a rebuild.

In the photo: The culvert before the reconstruction.

“The river crossing was once built “simply” – it was made of eight piles left over from Ventspils Port construction works. Facilities of this design regularly form deposits at the river mouth, which block the river flow. As a result, the bridge structure can be damaged and the forest road washed away, thus endangering traffic. Therefore, according to the estimation of the construction engineers, we started the work on arranging the culvert,” says Ivars Ozols, LVM Kurzeme Region Forest Infrastructure Manager.

In the photo: From now on, it will be possible to cross the River Vēždūka safely.

The construction design was developed by SIA “BT projekts”. One flattened steel culvert, 2.8 metres in diameter and 14 metres in length, was designed. As a result of the procurement of construction works, the works were entrusted to SIA “Rīgas tilti”.

The construction works began in mid-June 2019 and were completed in late August. The bridge – large culvert – was commissioned on 30 October. The rebuilding of the facility has resulted in improved traffic safety and reduced risk of denudation of the forest road.

LVM built its first steel culvert in 2006. Currently, LVM has 52 steel culverts of different shapes, sizes and coatings.