The closure of an unofficial pedestrian railway crossing at Jāņavārti station in Riga’s Ķengarags neighborhood is lengthening local commutes significantly, with residents reporting travel times increasing from 20 minutes to nearly 50 minutes as winter approaches.
According to complaints shared on social media, the detour requires travelers to go through either the South Bridge or Daugmale, stretching a quick transit into a much longer journey just as winter weather sets in.
Commuters noted that public transport delays and traffic congestion already make getting to work difficult, and losing the pedestrian connection removes a crucial backup option.
Residents Use Open Gates Because Bridge Remains Closed
The tension between pedestrian convenience and rail safety at Jāņavārti station is not a new development. Previous investigations by the Bez Tabu
program highlighted that the official pedestrian bridge at the station has been closed for more than a decade, leaving the nearest legal railway crossing about a kilometer away toward the city center.
Because of the distance, residents routinely used open service gates to cross the eight active tracks. Back when television crews first examined the issue roughly three years ago, Latvijas dzelzceļš representative Agnese Licite emphasized that such unauthorized crossings severely endanger human life and disrupt railway traffic safety.
Those who work here know very well how often public transport is delayed and how much time is spent in traffic jams. Previously, at least one could walk and transfer to the 15th trolleybus, but now that option will be gone.
Local resident, Ķengarags district
Railway officials previously explained that the dilapidated pedestrian bridge is slated for complete demolition as part of the broader Rail Baltica infrastructure project, with plans to eventually build a new one. However, residents point out that the old bridge has sat non-operational for at least 15 years, and question the logic of waiting for a permanent fix when the structure is scheduled to be torn down decades from now anyway.
Residents Call on Riga Leadership for Mobility Solutions
With daily transit options shrinking, community members are urging city authorities to intervene. Public appeals have specifically targeted Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs and Marta Kotello, head of the External Space and Mobility Committee, asking them to address the neighborhood’s lack of safe, convenient routes.
As the informal path shuts down, local workers face a daily lottery with public transit schedules along Krustpils Street, with no immediate pedestrian alternative in place while the Rail Baltica timeline plays out.