Rail Baltica: Lithuania Track Laying Boosts High-Speed Rail Progress

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Introduction

Track laying has commenced on the Rail Baltica section in the Jonava district of Lithuania, a pivotal development for the high-speed railway project connecting the Baltic States to Europe. This phase of construction, involving 8.8 km of track between Sveicarija and Zeimiai, is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

Project Commencement in Lithuania

Track laying has officially begun on the Rail Baltica section in the Jonava district, marking a significant advancement for the European standard gauge (1435 mm) railway in Lithuania. National project implementer LTG Infra has procured 86,200 tonnes of ballast, 29,500 reinforced concrete sleepers, and 42 kilometers of rails to facilitate this work. According to Juras Taminskas, Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, “Railway construction is moving from planning to actual work.”

Contract and Financial Aspects

The contract for the installation of the upper track structure on the Sveicarija–Zeimiai section was awarded to a joint venture between Leonhard Weiss GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) and Leonhard Weiss OU (Estonia), with a value of EUR 13.9 million excluding VAT. Vytis Zalimas, CEO of LTG Infra, stated, “Every euro invested generates at least two euros in return for the state.” In September, the three Baltic States and joint venture RB Rail AS signed the region’s largest electrification contract with COBELEC Rail Baltica, valued at EUR 1.77 billion excluding VAT.

Progress Across the Baltic States

Construction activities are underway across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In Estonia, 105 km of substructure and related infrastructure is under construction, and contracts have been signed for 200 km. In Latvia, construction is focused on the southern section near Iecava, encompassing 202 km of infrastructure. In Lithuania, development continues on the Kaunas–Panevezys section, where 77 km of embankments and engineering structures are being developed.

Future Developments

By the end of 2025, works in Lithuania are expected to extend over 114 km, including track laying and the construction of a new bridge over the Neris River. According to the source, by the end of 2025, 43 per cent of the mainline will be construction-ready.

Conclusion

The Rail Baltica project is progressing with track laying in Lithuania, and construction is active across the Baltic States. Contracts have been awarded, and the project anticipates significant completion milestones by the end of 2025.

LTG Infra

LTG Infra is the national project implementer.

Leonhard Weiss GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)

Leonhard Weiss GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) is a company.

Leonhard Weiss OU (Estonia)

Leonhard Weiss OU (Estonia) is a company.

RB Rail AS

RB Rail AS is a joint venture.

COBELEC Rail Baltica

COBELEC Rail Baltica is a company.

LTG Group

LTG Group is a company.

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