Speeding up the Implementation of A1 Road and Via Baltica Projects
On 15 March the so-called technological break has come to end, which means an official start of road construction works under favourable weather conditions. This year, it is planned to complete a number of ongoing works on road A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda and to start the implementation of other significant road development and maintenance projects.
According to Remigijus Lipkevičius, Director of SE Lithuanian Road Administration, due to weather conditions, road construction season in Lithuania takes less than 12 months and frequently coincides with travelling season.
“Every effort is made to reduce inconveniences incurred by travellers and holiday-makers due to ongoing road works on state significance roads. We are grateful to our road users for understanding and patience,” says R. Lipkevičius.
According to the contracts signed last year, works will be continued on the motorway from Vilnius to Kaunas. Works on separate road sections have already been completed; however, the whole project will be completed in September this year. The goal of undergoing reconstruction works on this road section is to improve traffic safety as well as to meet the conditions set to the roads with such traffic volumes. Having fulfilled the set requirements, the road will be open to the speed limits of 130 km/h in summer and 110 km/h in winter.
In September the construction of a new bridge across the river Nėris and a viaduct across Jonava street (reconstruction project from km 99.29 to 100.47) will be completed on the above-mentioned road. Works under the project ‘Reconstruction of Main Road A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda section from 102.90 to 107.00 km’ will be continued. Having implemented this project, one of the most dangerous road intersections (Giraitės) on the state road network will be liquidated. Moreover, repair works on eight sections of motorway A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda from Kaunas in the direction of Klaipėda will be performed.
This year, designing of Via Baltica project road A5 Kaunas–Marijampolė– Suwałki from km 56.83 to 97.06 will be continued. It is planned to complete the procedure of land acquisition for public needs and to start the preparation of pre-project solutions for another part of Via Baltica, i. e. from Kaunas to the Latvian border (sections of state significance main roads A8 Panevėžys–Aristava–Sitkūnai and A10 Panevėžys–Pasvalys–Riga).
In 2021 it is planned to pay more attention to the construction of safe infrastructure (roundabouts, modern pedestrian crossings, pedestrian and cyclist tracks, etc.), bridge repair and reconstruction works. Therefore, routine repair works will be carried out; lighting and marking will be upgraded; gravel roads will be asphalt paved; other road maintenance and development projects will be implemented.
SE Lithuanian Road Administration manages ca 21 thousand km of state significance roads.