Southern Bridge, Steel bridge in Riga, Latvia
The Southern Bridge is a steel crossing over the Daugava River in Riga with six traffic lanes. It stretches for about 800 meters and rises roughly 13 meters above the water level.
Work began in 2004 and the crossing opened to traffic in 2008 after four years of construction. The project was designed to ease vehicle flow and better connect eastern districts of the city.
Locals call this crossing the Golden Bridge, a name that reflects the dramatic cost increase during its construction. The nickname became a way for residents to joke about the project's expensive history.
The crossing is open year-round and handles heavy vehicle traffic smoothly. Pedestrians and cyclists have designated paths to safely cross the river without mixing with motor vehicles.
The construction process faced major budget overruns and management issues that prompted a government investigation. These problems made it a notable case in Riga's urban development history.
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