Lithuania has launched an international tender for design services related to a 54 km section of the Rail Baltica railway, running from Panevėžys to the Lithuanian-Latvian border. This announcement signals continued progress on the ambitious project, which aims to connect the Baltic states to the broader European rail network.
Rail Baltica Advances in Lithuania
The tender, announced by LTG Infra, the company responsible for implementing the project in Lithuania, is a key step toward completing the final segment needed for uninterrupted international traffic along the Poland-Latvia corridor. According to Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG Group, the goal is to select a designer and begin design work later this year.
Work is also progressing on other sections of the railway. Design work is currently in progress on a nearly 100 km section between the Lithuanian-Polish border and Kaunas, where modernization efforts are planned. Simultaneously, tenders are underway for the design of infrastructure maintenance depots in Panevėžys and Kaunas, and for regional stations in Jonava and Gustonys.
Strategic Importance
Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Roderikas Žiobakas emphasized the strategic importance of Rail Baltica for Lithuania and the wider Baltic region. He stated the project will strengthen regional transport links, improve connectivity with Western Europe, enhance strategic resilience, and foster economic cooperation.
Rail Baltica, one of the largest high-speed rail projects in Europe, is designed to operate at speeds of up to 249 km/h. The railway will be fully electrified and equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), adhering to European standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall goal of the Rail Baltica project?
Rail Baltica aims to improve connectivity, strengthen regional security, and support economic growth in the Baltic states by linking Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with Poland and, indirectly, with Finland and the broader European rail network.
What is the current status of the Rail Baltica project in Lithuania?
Currently, design and construction activities are underway on multiple sections of the railway in Lithuania, including the Kaunas-Panevėžys section, the Lithuanian-Polish border to Kaunas section, and now the Panevėžys to Latvian border section.
What type of railway will Rail Baltica be?
Rail Baltica will be a fully electrified, standard-gauge railway (1435 mm) equipped with the ERTMS, designed to meet European standards and operate at speeds of up to 249 km/h.
As the design tender progresses, it remains to be seen how quickly a designer will be selected and work commenced, and what challenges may arise during the design phase. The successful completion of this section will be a significant step towards realizing the full potential of Rail Baltica.
