The preparation of technical projects of the cycling path in Neringa begins
The contracts of the State Enterprise Lithuanian Road Administration (hereinafter – the Road Administration) for the preparation of the technical work projects for the reconstruction of the footpath and cycling path between Smiltynė and Nida, have entered into force. More than 35 kilometres of the path (from Smiltynė to Preila) will be designed. The public procurement tender procedure will be announced for four sections of the path and, accordingly, 4 contracts have been entered into. The total value of the contracts, that have been entered into, is more than 110 thousand euros.
According to the requirements of the tender procedure, suppliers must carry out construction, engineering and other research, prepare the technical work project and other documentation for the reconstruction of the structure, and supervise the implementation of the structure project.
Remigijus Lipkevičius, Director of the Road Administration, says that the footpath and cycling path between Smiltynė and Nida is important for both the residents of Neringa and guests, many of whom come to this wonderful place of Lithuania, that is, for everyone who travel both by bicycle and on foot.
It is planned that, in 2022, after the preparation of projects, public procurements for construction work will be announced. The path will be maintained by AB Kelių priežiūra until the work of its arrangement will be completed.
The cycling path between Smiltynė and Nida is a part of EuroVelo route. Therefore, it is used not only by the local residents but also by cyclists from abroad. It should be noted that the construction of this path will contribute to the ecology and the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs), because after the reconstruction it will be possible to reach Nida from Smiltynė ferry without a car. In addition, the path must also be adapted for special transport, so that the path could be used, if necessary, to protect this unique place from natural disasters, such as fire.
The said path stretches through a protected territory in the Curonian Spit, where protection of trees, dunes, vegetation is a very sensitive issue. It has also been taken into account that, during the preparation of the project, there may arise a problem concerning the use of the forest land owned by the State Forest Enterprise. The public procurement was announced after the Road Administration has harmonized all the above issues with the authorities concerned.
Please note that the Road Administration was able to start design work on this path only after the municipalities of Neringa and Klaipėda agreed to sign cooperation agreements and after the Road Administration received decision from the municipal councils that, after the construction work of the path will be completed, the said municipalities will take over the ownership of the path.
After the construction of the footpath and cycling path will be completed and it will be transferred to the municipalities, Klaipėda City Municipality will own 850 meters and Neringa Municipality will own about 34 km of the path.