Development Of Via Baltica In Lithuania

Abstract

The total length of Via Baltica corridor, which consists of five roads (A5 Kaunas–Marijampolė–Suwałki, A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda; A8 Panevėžys–Aristava–Sitkūnai, A17 Panevėžys bypass and A10 Panevėžys–Pasvalys–Riga) makes up 268 km on the Lithuanian territory. In 2019 the highest traffic volumes on this corridor were 55,942 veh/day. It is the highest-volume heavy vehicle road carrying the greatest loads. Via Baltica is a transit road; therefore, it shall comply to the requirements set to high quality roads. In 2020-2030 it is planned to implement 9 projects, the total value of which is ca 704 million EUR (194.18 km to be reconstructed). Until 2018 having implemented 156 million EUR projects, Via Baltica road A5 Kaunas–Marijampolė–Suwałki 17.24–56.83 km section (from Kaunas to Marijampole) was reconstructed into a motorway until the end of 2018. Currently, preparations are made for Via Baltica reconstruction from Marijampole to the Lithuanian-Polish border (A5 road from 56.83 km to 97.06 km). Strategic Environmental Assessment has already been completed and a special territorial planning document has been approved by the Lithuanian Government. According to this document, the road section shall be widened up to four traffic lanes by constructing two safe grade-separated intersections (viaducts) and roundabouts, connecting roads, a new heavy vehicle parking lot, by widening the existing bridges, by building new bridges and by implementing various environmental protection measures. At present design works of the above-mentioned 40.23 km-long-road section are underway. The works are due to be completed by the end of 2025.