Lithuania plans to renovate its highways over the next two years to bring them in line with neighbouring countries.
“We are starting road reconstruction work. After this winter, many stretches have deteriorated completely. This is the result of decades of uneven funding, inadequate road management, and a lack of vision for our infrastructure,” Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said at a project launch in Kaunas district on March 30.
“These years mark a turning point when we should no longer be ashamed that our roads are among the worst in the region,” he added.
Martynas Gedaminskas, head of state-owned road maintenance company Via Lietuva, said 120 kilometres of highway sections and 24 bridges and overpasses were planned for repair this year and next. He emphasised that the scale of work would surpass recent efforts.
“On the A1 and A2 highways, we plan to repair at least 120 kilometres. If we continue at this pace over the next several years, we can expect the main highways to be fully renovated within three to four years,” Gedaminskas said.
The worst conditions are on the A1 between Raseiniai and Kaunas, where nearly 46 kilometres across two sections are slated for reconstruction.
Initial work is scheduled to begin in May, carried out by YIT Lietuva, Fegda, Kauno Tiltai, and Keliu Prieziura. Additional contractors will be confirmed after procurement procedures. Contracts worth over EUR 12 million have been signed, with procurement for more than EUR 100 million initiated.
Via Lietuva plans to repair 170 kilometres of state highways, including about 100 kilometres this year, on routes including Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda (A1) and Vilnius-Panevezys (A2).
The longest A1 stretch, about 38 kilometres toward Klaipeda, will include repairs to 10 bridges and overpasses between Babtai and Ariogala. Other sections will be addressed near Elektrenai, Kaunas, Raseiniai, Kryzkalnis, Gargzdai, Silale, and near Klaipeda.
On the A2, repairs will cover roughly 4 kilometres near Sirvintos, 11 kilometres near Ukmerge, and 6 kilometres near Taujenai. Overall, 20 kilometres are planned for the Vilnius-Panevezys route, though the main focus remains on the A1 due to higher traffic volumes.
Additional minor repairs on other highways, totalling more than 50 kilometres across 11 projects, will address pavement cracks, rutting, and other defects. Speed limits in repair zones will be set at 90 km/h.
Lithuania’s 2026 state budget allocates EUR 815.5 million for roads. (LRT)