Photo: Shutterstock Lithuania is accelerating the construction of Rail Baltica, the European Union's flagship project that will connect the Baltic states to Europe's high-speed rail network, with new lines to Poland and Latvia.
One of Europe's most ambitious infrastructure projects continues to advance at a rapid pace. The Rail Baltica project, designed to connect the Baltic states to the European rail network at an international standard, is making significant progress in Lithuania as construction work on the new track continues.
As part of the project, railway lines are being established and upgraded that will connect Lithuania with Latvia and Poland, as part of creating a continuous transport corridor that will connect the Baltic countries to Central Europe and the European Union's high-speed rail network.
So far, about 9 kilometers of track have been laid, while work on the railway infrastructure continues at full speed. The section currently under construction will require a total of 42 kilometers of railway tracks and about 30,000 concrete sleepers, which will serve as the foundation for the new track.
In parallel with the construction work, the signaling systems on the existing railway line to Poland are also being upgraded. The move is expected to improve safety levels, enable more efficient train traffic, and shorten travel times between the countries.
Rail Baltica is considered one of the most important strategic transport projects of the European Union. Its aim is to complete the "missing link" in Europe's land transport network, strengthen connectivity between the Baltic states and the rest of the continent, and encourage a shift to modern, fast and sustainable transport.
As work progresses in Lithuania, the stage is approaching when the country will fully integrate into the European railway network, alongside Latvia, Estonia, and Poland, in a move that is expected to change the transportation map in the region and improve accessibility between Northern Europe and its center.