▷ The Vilnius-Kaunas highway turned 50 years old

Today, November 3rd, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Vilnius-Kaunas Highway in Lithuania. At the time, it was the first highway of its kind in the Soviet Union and was considered one of the most modern highways in the world. Construction of this highway took five years. In 1970, the Vilnius-Kaunas Highway carried an average of 5,800 vehicles per day.

Today, the highway carries over 30,000 vehicles annually, the highest not only in Lithuania but also in the Baltic states (Latvia and Estonia).

The Vilnius-Kaunas highway turned 50 years old

According to Minister of Transport Jaroslav Narkevič, the Vilnius-Kaunas highway is very important for both Lithuanian and international traffic, which is why special attention is paid to maintaining the technical condition of this road. By order of the minister, another 7.4 million were allocated for the improvement of traffic conditions and safety on the Vilnius-Kaunas national road. Investments in euros of EU funds.

“We hope that further investments will improve communication between regional centers and ensure traffic conditions compliant with international standards for local road users and transit vehicles,” emphasizes J. Narkevič.

“There are many more cars on the roads today than those built half a century ago, so it is necessary to ensure safe and comfortable traffic conditions. For this purpose, modern safety and traffic management measures are implemented, which both road builders and road users could only dream of 50 years ago,” says Remigijus Lipkevičius, head of the Directorate of Lithuanian Motor Vehicle Roads.

According to R. Lipkevičius, one of the priorities of the Road Directorate is the development of the highway network in the country to create a convenient, safe and fast transport infrastructure. This ambition is confirmed by works carried out on roads of national importance, and some of the biggest changes await motorists on the Vilnius-Kaunas road.

Currently, the section of the A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda road between Vilnius and Kaunas is undergoing intensive reconstruction work. Work has already been completed in some sections, but the entire project will be completed next year. Once road safety measures have been adopted and the reconstruction of individual road sections has been completed, the road will meet the requirements of a motorway and can be traveled at a speed of 130 km/h in summer and 110 km/h in winter. Safe and comfortable traffic conditions will be ensured here, corresponding to the amount of traffic flow, the importance of the road and international standards.

During the implementation of the A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda motorway project

protective metal fences are installed in the dividing road lane on the section from Vilnius to Kaunas, and mesh fences are installed in parts of the road sections to prevent the presence of wild animals. Acceleration and deceleration lanes are also being reconstructed, pedestrian paths and crossings at different levels are being installed, speed control and alarm systems are being installed, lighting is being installed and other works are being carried out.

The section of the A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda road from km 10.00 to km 95.00 is reconstructed according to five contracts (the project consists of the reconstruction of 5 sections) signed by the Roads Directorate of Lithuanian Motor Roads with 2 contractors. The overall value of the entire project is approximately 43 million. euro. The share of EU investments earmarked for this project now stands at 25.8 million. euro.

In June this year, the general repair of the A1 Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda section from km 100.47 to km 101.79 was completed. The work at this stage took place from the Kleboniškis Bridge to the Sargėnai intersection – the section was widened to 10 lanes, additionally equipped with acceleration and deceleration lanes, as well as a retaining wall and a more than 1 km long noise barrier on the left side of the road. These works cost approximately 17.5 million. Euro.

In the summer of 2021, one of the most important parts of the Vilnius-Kaunas reconstruction project will be completed: a new bridge will connect the banks of the Neris to Kaunas. During the implementation of the project “Concerning the implementation of the reconstruction project of the section of the national highway A1 Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipėda from km 99.29 to km 100.47” a viaduct will also be built over Jonava street and a connecting road on the right side of the A1 Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipėda highway. The value of this project is over 32 million. euro.