A Newly Reconstructed Vilnius–Utena Road Section Open to Traffic
A new 4-km-long section of road A14 Vilnius–Utena (from km 16) has been reconstructed. The main road was widened from 2 to 4 traffic lanes and engineering traffic safety measures were implemented on the road.
‘The reconstruction of the main road Vilnius–Utena has been extremely important due to deteriorated cement concrete pavement, which is extremely dangerous to traffic safety. The road has become twice as wide, a number of traffic safety measures have been implemented, safety of pedestrians and cyclists have been taken care of’, says Mr Jaroslav Narkevč, Minister of Transport and Communications.
The road was strengthened and widened from 2 to 4 lanes and former low quality cement concrete pavement was replaced by asphalt pavement. A pedestrian viaduct, underground passage and a 4.4 km-long pedestrian and cyclist lane were constructed to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Moreover, the road section was lit, guard rails, noise barriers and net fencing against wild animals were installed.
In September another reconstruction stage was started on road A14 Vilnius–Utena (from km 16.80 to km 17.64 km and from km 20.84 to km 21.50). During this stage roundabouts with connecting roads and acceleration and deceleration lanes from road A14 will be constructed.
Further works will be performed in stages as well. Current financing could enable to complete reconstruction works by 2030. The works are financed from the Road Maintenance and Development Programme funds.
During the meeting with contractors, the Minister of Transport and Communications discussed the prospects of implementation and pointed out that some preparatory work should be completed before starting reconstruction or construction works.
‘According to the State Significance Road Maintenance and Development Strategy 2035 prepared by the Lithuanian Road Administration, four reconstruction projects of the road A14 Vilnius-Utena are planned to be implemented. Reconstruction of concrete pavement and traffic safety improvement works on the total road section of 66.632 km shall be completed in 2019–2030’, says Mr Vitalijus Andrejevas, Director of the Lithuanian Road Administration under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Road A14 Vilnius–Utena is one of the most problematic roads in Lithuania. It is almost the only cement concrete road causing danger to traffic safety. Widening works of this road were carried out in 2008–2009, when the number of lanes was increased from 2 to 4 (from km 10.0 to km 16.0).