"Via Baltica is one of the biggest projects of recent decades, and is a major expansion of our most important road link to the West. The most intensive work is currently taking place on the Polish border, where we have just officially opened the first of four sections of the motorway being reconstructed here. However, we aim to start work as soon as possible on the other section of Via Baltica - towards the Latvian border - so that it becomes a four-lane motorway as soon as possible and meets the highest standards of quality and safety," said Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis.
By the end of 2025, engineering infrastructure development plans will be prepared for the 80.35 km Panevėžys-Aristava-Sitkūnai road (A8), the 22.24 km Panevėžys Bypass (A17) and the 57.09 km section of the Panevėžys-Pasvalys-Riga road (A10) up to the border with Latvia.
It is planned that by the end of this year the Lithuanian Road Administration (LAKD) will draft the technical specifications for the public procurement and will announce public tender procedures for the preparation of these special plans early next year. Further work will include land acquisition for reconstruction, preparation of technical working designs and completion of all reconstruction works by 2030.
It is expected that, after reconstruction, all three sections of these roads will have four lanes, with all connecting roads, roundabouts, animal fences, lighting and other necessary road elements.
Via Baltica crosses the territory of Lithuania from the Latvian to the Polish border and has been granted the status of a project of special national importance. The reconstruction of the entire 269 km of Via Baltica in Lithuania is expected to be completed by 2030.
