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Motorway Vilnius–Kaunas at 50

2020 11 03

Fifty years ago the motorway Vilnius–Kaunas was opened on 3 November. In 1970 it was the first motorway that was considered one of the most modern roads in former Soviet Union. It took five years to construct the motorway. Traffic volumes on the motorway were 5,800 vehicles per day.

Currently, average annual daily traffic on this road section exceeds 30 thousand vehicles, which is the highest number not only in Lithuania, but in the Baltic countries (Latvia and Estonia) on the whole.

According to the Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Jaroslav Narkevič, the motorway Vilnius–Kaunas is significant for both local and international communication; therefore, special attention should be paid to the condition of the road. Pursuant to the Order of the Minister, additional 7.4 million EUR of EU investments have been allocated for the improvement of traffic conditions and traffic safety of the key road Vilnius–Kaunas.

“We hope that additional investments will improve communication between regional centres and will ensure traffic conditions complying to the international standards for local and transit road users,” emphasizes Mr J. Narkevič.

“Today the road constructed fifty years ago carries a significantly larger number of vehicles; therefore, safe and convenient traffic conditions shall be maintained. Currently implemented modern safety and traffic management measures were only a dream for road builders and users fifty years ago”, says the Director of SE Lithuanian Road Administration Mr Remigijus Lipkevičius.

According to Mr R. Lipkevičiaus, one of the priorities of the Road Administration is to expand the network of motorways in the country by developing convenient, safe and fast infrastructure. It has been proved by the scope of works performed on the state roads, one of the biggest changes still awaiting drivers on the road Vilnius–Kaunas.

Currently, reconstruction works are underway on the road A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda section between Vilnius and Kaunas. Works on separate sections have been completed; however, the whole project will be brought to a close in 2021. Upon implementation of traffic safety measures and reconstruction of separate road sections, the road will comply to the motorway requirements. Then the speed limits on the road will be 130 km/h in summer and 110 km/h in winter. Safe and convenient traffic conditions wil be ensured on the road, which meets the needs of transport flows, road category and international standards.

When implementing the project of the main road A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda on the section from Vilnius to Kaunas metal guard railing is installed on the carriageway and wildlife friendly fencing is built on some road sections. Acceleration and deceleration lanes are reconstructed; pedestrian paths and grade-separated crossings are constructed; speed control, warning systems and lighting are installed and other works are performed.

Five contracts between SE Lithuanian Road Administration and two contractors have been drawn up to reconstruct the road A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda section from km 10.00 to km 95.00 (the project consists of 5 sections). The total value of the project is 43 million EUR, out of which –  25.8 million EUR of EU funds.

In June 2020 the reconstruction of the main road A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda section from km 100.47 to km 101.79 was completed. The works on this section cost ca 17.5 million EUR.

Among the most important Vilnius-Kaunas reconstruction project parts are the construction of a new bridge, a viaduct and a connecting road. The total value of this project makes up more than 32 million EUR.