Lithuania is accelerating its portion of the Rail Baltica project with a series of major construction and design agreements. The national rail infrastructure operator has signed three civil works and track contracts worth €235 million, covering nearly 19 kilometers near Kaunas. At the same time, a €38.3 million deal was awarded for the design and supervision of the 96-kilometer stretch from the Poland–Lithuania border to Kaunas. Together, these steps are expected to bring construction readiness for almost half of the main corridor by the end of 2025, moving closer to the goal of seamless high-speed rail travel linking the Baltic States with the rest of Europe.
Building Infrastructure: Earthworks and Track Laying
The civil works packages focus on creating rail embankments and essential support structures in challenging terrain southwest of Kaunas. One contract, valued at €97.8 million, covers an 8.5-kilometer section that includes both embankment works and engineering structures, with completion scheduled for early 2028. Another package, worth €123.5 million, targets a 10.4-kilometer section with similar infrastructure goals and the same completion horizon. Additional work on a 12.1-kilometer stretch between Šeta and Ramygala will prepare the corridor for future track installation.
Track laying is also advancing. A 10-kilometer section between Šveicarija and Žeimiai is being prepared, with nearly 9 kilometers of track expected to be operational by the end of this year. Project leaders note that early procurement of materials and strategic planning have been key to keeping the timetable on track.
Linking to the West: Toward Synchronized High-Speed Transit
The design contract awarded to Deutsche Bahn’s engineering division covers the electrified double-track railway from the Poland border through Marijampolė to Kaunas. This 96-kilometer segment is considered the “gateway to the West,” connecting Lithuania’s network directly to Poland’s upgraded standard-gauge rail lines. It will integrate passenger and freight services, modern signaling, and provisions for military mobility.
Once completed, this section will form a vital link in the Rail Baltica corridor, enabling faster, more efficient travel and strengthening economic and cultural ties between the Baltics and Western Europe. Officials see it not only as a transport project but also as a long-term investment in regional connectivity, sustainability, and resilience.
