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Starting Monday, May 17, a major urban transport artery will be cut throughout the summer: the reconstruction of the so-called Castle Ring will begin. Aloyzas Pakalniškis, the head of the City Management Department of the Kaunas City Municipality, told viewers of the “Kaunas Days” studio what works will be carried out in Kaunas in the near future.
– Tell us why the Castle Ring is closed, how many will be rebuilt, and when it will all start and end.
– This is a challenge not only for citizens, but also for our contractors. The node and the volume are small, both economically and quantitatively, but it is the most intense artery for both public transport and cars. There have been quite a few problems. In this section, there is a mixture of rainwater and sewer, so we want to separate so that all the wastewater runs where it belongs. We will rebuild the water supply lines because the cast iron pipes are quite old and worn. There was a collapse on Šauklių street or some formations were formed. It is planned to organize the underground communication networks, water supply, domestic and rainwater, ESO gas and electricity.
Photo by Vilmantas Raupelis
We also want to give more space to pedestrians. At the intersection of St. Gertrude and Gymnasium streets, it can be said that there is no sidewalk, because it is sheltered from the building, so a sidewalk will appear after the project. The road itself will be changed, the traffic lights will be readjusted and new supports will be activated on the catenary. There will be many operating companies in one place. Time is limited. We count backwards, we want students to be able to return to school at full capacity on September 1st. Transport traffic was the busiest in September. In summer, the traffic in the city is a bit moderate.
– Is September 1 the deadline?
– August 20-25, before September 1. After closing the ring, it will be possible to repair the defects of the bridge, change the deformation joints of the bridge, paint the partitions. The bridge itself has recently been rebuilt, so its condition is good, taking advantage of the situation will lead to more cosmetic treatments.
– Will traffic be completely closed or will pedestrians and cyclists be able to use the bridge?
– Yes, in some sections. It will be partially limited when painting work is done, but information will be provided in advance. “Kauno autobusai” is preparing a certain route to meet these people and take them to the center. Cyclists and scooters will be able to use it for a while, then we’ll let you know in advance when not.
– One of the most frequently asked questions, why was the end of the reconstruction of P.Kalpoko Street and Žemaičių Bridge not reached? Suffer now and Žaliakalnis, two entrances are closed. Couldn’t you reconcile at once?
– The P. Kalpoko viaduct will open at the end of June, but the situation will not improve. P. Kalpoko and Zanavykų streets are not so permeable as to be significant. Nuokalnės Street, Šiaurės Avenue are the streets through which the traffic will move. At P. Kalpoko Street, we use the programs of the Highway Administration, we receive funds and we depend on them: when we receive them, then we do. The situation is as it is.
According to A. Pakalniškis, it is important not only how it started, but also how the work will end. (Photo by Vilmantas Raupelis)
– Should the viaduct be finished in June, and the street itself?
– September 1.
– The old town will be closed, it may be possible to drive from St. Gertrude street to Birštonas street. Because now it’s real, only on Customs Street.
– Access to the old town is possible from the Aleksotas side, traffic will be partially restricted on Šauklių and Šv.Gertrūdos streets. Access to the old town will not be restricted, but the conditions will be created to reach the old town from two sides.
– The Lithuanian Highway Administration plans to repair the viaduct that crosses Via Baltica and, coming from the Marvelė side, it is possible to leave the city with it. Maybe you have information?
We not only look at cars, but we also try to make the connection as comfortable as possible on foot, bike or scooter.
– We are talking to the Highway Administration about this. They are currently completing the project, a public tender will be announced to select a contractor. Procedures are time consuming, so we believe projects should not collide. Do not start before September 1.
– Will the traffic organization change after reconstruction in terms of Castle Ring?
– Carriers have considered it, but no radical changes are planned. However, when driving from the old town, there will be no traffic light controlled turns. Public transport will be more fluid. We will reduce the lanes of traffic on Šaukli calle Street. Anyone who has walked on the sidewalk of Šauklių Street really knows that it is uncomfortable to go there near the traffic lanes. We try to find a balance. We not only look at the cars, but we also try to make transportation as comfortable as possible on foot, by bike or by scooter.
– What are the plans for the pedestrian underpasses?
– Due to the construction of a pedestrian bridge to Nemunas Island, the designers offer to make the underpass from King Mindaugas Avenue to the fire station more attractive. The designers offered an interesting option – to open the crossings next to the river, only there are challenges due to flooding. After the flood of the Nemunas, there is 1 percent. the probability of being flooded.
Next year, there are ambitions to clean up both Nemunas streets and rebuild the pedestrian crossing to make the connections as convenient as possible. This is the first serious reconstruction of the underpass and, if successful, we believe it will be possible to adapt it to other underpasses.
– What awaits Nemunas Street?
– Nemuno street is an important public transport lane. We made bike lanes a few years ago. We are not satisfied with the width of the sidewalks, so a project has been developed, according to which we plan to reconquer part of the sidewalks for pedestrians, to establish safe transit for cyclists. This is another connection management plan to connect the island with the old town.
– There is a lot of work in progress on Peace Avenue. When will Kaunas be better?
– Many of those scenarios. It will be completed in July-August. The sidewalks of the Raudondvaris highway are now beginning. We will finish Peace Avenue in July and we are doing some work on Industrial Avenue. Funding may also be lower, as the onset of last year’s pandemic and the injection of funding into the road sector alleviated the situation; much has been done and has begun to be done. Now it is important not only to start but also to finish the job.
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