Latvia plans to remove the names of populated areas in Belarus and Russia from road signs. Around 120,000 euros will be spent on the changes, LSM reports, citing Latvijas Radio.
The Ministry of Transport of Latvia says that the request to remove Belarusian and Russian toponyms from road signs comes from politicians and the public and is linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to the state organisation Latvijas valsts ceļi, which is responsible for road maintenance, 235 signs may need to be replaced.
Replacing or modifying signs on state highways alone could cost around 120,000 euros, according to preliminary estimates. Transport Minister Tālivadis Vectirāns said that preparatory work is currently under way, and the replacement or adjustment of signs will begin during the construction season in suitable weather conditions.
“Moreover, it is not that simple to start changing everything tomorrow. No, first an assessment had to be carried out. These signs are different, from different periods, of different sizes. A full replacement of a single road sign can cost up to 10,000 euros — if we are talking about large boards,” the minister noted.
In addition, the names of Belarusian and Russian cities appear on municipal roads in Daugavpils and Rēzekne. The Ministry of Transport believes that such signs should be replaced by the municipalities at their own expense.