The largest reconstruction of bicycle lanes is being prepared: the works will take several years

“The condition of the very worn bike path at Curonian Spit is neither justified nor intolerable. Worse still, the rebuilding work has been delayed too long. We are taking urgent measures to solve the problem and the Lithuanian Highway Administration to start the reconstruction of this bicycle lane as soon as possible, ”said Minister of Transport and Communications M. Skuodis.

The Smiltynė – Pervalka bike path was built in 2003-2007, and the sections of the roads from Pervalka and Preila Sea to the sea were even earlier, in 1978, respectively. and 1982 Since the installation, these sections have not been rebuilt, only the necessary repairs have been carried out.

After the completion of the public procurement, the design works of the Smiltynė – Pervalka cycle path will start in the near future. 2022 Public procurement for reconstruction works will be announced and the reconstruction of this trail will begin.

In total, it is planned to rebuild 35.8 km of cycle paths: the section between Smiltynė and Pervalka, as well as the sections of cycle paths along the local roads connecting Pervalka and Preila with the Smiltynė – Nida highway. In the first phase until 2023. The first 13.5 km will be managed towards Juodkrante, in the next two stages the worst sections of 15.7 km and 6.6 km in length will be managed in shifts towards Pervalka. During the reconstruction, it is planned to fix the pavement of the trail, install lighting in residential areas and install other infrastructure that ensures the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

“The problems of the bicycle lanes are evident and, after the Minister’s visit, there were certainly no doubts about the need to rebuild it as soon as possible. For this reason, we hope that the bureaucratic obstacles will be solved and work will soon begin on the communication artery, which is especially important for our municipality, ”commented the mayor of Neringa Darius Jasaitis.

The bike path runs through the Curonian Spit National Park, protected areas, so it will be rebuilt protecting and conserving nature. The aim is for the maintained road to meet the requirements of the European EuroVelo cycle lane network.

These trails were initially managed by the forestry company on a fiduciary basis, later in 2007-2010. The trails were handed over to the state company Klaipėda Region Roads. Since 2019 the bike path together with the sections that lead to the sea in Pervalka and Preila belongs to the LAKD.

The 52 km long cycle route on the Curonian Spit connects all the Neringa settlements: Smiltyne, Juodkrante, Pervalka, Preila and Nida. This trail is part of track no. 10 and no. Part 13, as well as one of the cycle routes by the sea.

To promote sustainable mobility, the Ministry of Transport and Communications plans to pay special attention to the development of cycle paths in Lithuania in the coming years. Until 2027 With additional financing, it is planned to install about 260 km of bicycle lanes in the country, to create or improve the infrastructure required for the use of bicycles. The goal is that by 2030 the use of this eco-friendly vehicle would more than double.