Head of the Directorate: Fluent traffic from Vilnius to Klaipeda – next year

The section from Vilnius to Kaunas is being rebuilt into a highway, and the section from Kaunas to Klaipėda is being intensively repaired, with additional funding for the roads due to the coronavirus crisis.

According to Remigijus Lipkevičius, this year more works are being carried out on the A1 motorway than usual, so this must be taken into account when planning a trip.

“There are more traffic jams, especially in places where traffic is diverted to another lane, especially in the morning and in the afternoon from Monday to Friday (…) Now you have to add a little time to planning trips, especially on Fridays and Sundays. Because there are repairs, there are natural and determined speed limits. This needs to be evaluated and tolerated a bit so that it is possible to cover that distance more quickly and safely in the future, ”R. Lipkevičius told BNS.

Before the crisis, the transformation of the Vilnius-Kaunas section into a motorway began, on which it will be possible to drive at a speed of 130 km per hour in summer. It was decided to renovate part of the road from Kaunas to Klaipėda because the pavement was worn.

“We have received many complaints that there are ruts, it is not safe to drive, especially after the rain, because there is water in the ruts and hydroplaning forms. As a result, the decision was made to submit applications, secure funding and renew that coverage in the affected areas, ”said the head of the directorate.

According to R. Lipkevičius, traffic on the entire highway will most likely be smoother until the warm season next year, but the speed of work will also depend on the weather in winter.

“The situation will improve in some sections (from December – BNS), but several sections will be left to complete next year,” said R. Lipkevičius.

“If the weather conditions do not allow, for example, to carry out asphalt works, then the works in this place will have stopped somewhat (…), He affirmed.

Road safety measures are being installed on the Vilnius-Kaunas section from 10 to 95 kilometers: metal protection barriers, network fences against wild animals, reconstructed acceleration and deceleration lanes, roads and pedestrian crossings, speed warning and control systems , lighting and other works. The value of all of them exceeds 40 million. euros.

To further boost the road sector affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government allocated 150 million euros in loans for roads in April. 1 million euros for projects already underway, which can run until November 30.