Construction of a new Rail Baltica railway bridge, the longest of its kind in the Baltic countries, began in Lithuania’s central district of Jonava on July 21.
Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte says the bridge over the Neris River and the European standard-gauge railway as a whole will make the country “better connected” to the rest of the European Union.
“Every new bridge is a new hope and a new opportunity. It is a new opening. It is a reminder that even in times of war, the world has to look for creativity and creative solutions,” Simonyte said at the ceremony.
“We can also call this bridge a symbolic bridge to future economic opportunities,” she added.
Transport Minister Marius Skuodis said that in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rail Baltica had become not only an economic project, but also a geopolitical one, allowing “our rail network to be fully integrated into Europe”.
Italy’s Rizzani de Ecche will build the bridge under a contract worth 64 million euros, signed with LTG Infra, the company responsible for the implementation of Rail Baltica in Lithuania in April.
LTG Infra’s spokeswoman has confirmed that Latvia’s road and bridge construction company Tilts and Italy’s road, railway bridge and viaduct construction company Spic will install the bridge’s piles and overlays.
The new 1,510-metre railway bridge over the Neris River near the town of Jonava is expected to be built in two and a half years. The longest distance between the supports of the bridge, where it will cross the river, will be 150 meters. (LRT/Business World Magazine)